Uganda to Host 19th World Congress on Environmental Health 2028

Uganda has secured the hosting rights for the 19th World Congress on Environmental Health (WCEH 2028), a move that firmly establishes Kampala as a heavyweight in the global meetings and conventions circuit.

The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) recently confirmed that the biennial congress will head to the Ugandan capital in 2028, bringing together an elite group of researchers, policymakers, and health professionals to tackle the planet’s most urgent health crises.

The win is the result of a coordinated “Team Uganda” effort led by the Environmental Health Workers Association of Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Tourism Board. This successful bid also drew critical backing from the Ministry of Health and the Makerere University School of Public Health.

By landing this major international gathering, Uganda has underscored its growing reputation for professional excellence and its ability to manage large-scale, complex global dialogues on issues ranging from climate change and food safety to urban health and sanitation.

Beyond the academic and scientific exchange, the congress is expected to deliver a massive economic shot in the arm for the local economy. With approximately 1,500 delegates predicted to descend on Kampala for the five-day event, the direct economic impact is estimated at Shs 9.68 billion.

This influx will ripple through the private sector, creating substantial opportunities for hospitality players, airlines, and professional conference organizers to showcase Uganda’s capacity for world-class service.

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Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa noted that this achievement is a significant endorsement of the country’s “MICE” (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) strategy.

She emphasized that WCEH 2028 will not only bring global expertise to the country’s shores but will also serve as a catalyst for investment in transport and tourism, positioning Uganda as a premier hub for international knowledge exchange.

The Uganda Convention Bureau, a specialized unit within UTB, played a pivotal role in coordinating the bid to grow Uganda’s share of this lucrative global market.

This milestone builds on a record-breaking year for Ugandan tourism. In 2024, the country saw international arrivals climb to 1.37 million—a 7.7 percent increase from the previous year—while tourism receipts hit an all-time high of US$1.28 billion.

As preparations transition into the next planning phase, the focus will now turn to designing pre- and post-conference tour packages that encourage delegates to explore the wider beauty of the “Pearl of Africa” long after the official sessions have concluded.