Kampala, Uganda: Uganda has secured the rights to host the 19th World Congress on Environmental Health (WCEH 2028), a major international gathering expected to bring together global environmental health experts, researchers, policymakers, and public health professionals to Kampala.
The announcement was confirmed by the International Federation of Environmental Health following a successful bid submitted by the Environmental Health Workers Association of Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board, with support from the Ministry of Health and Makerere University School of Public Health.
The congress, scheduled for 2028 in Kampala, is expected to attract approximately 1,500 delegates over five days and generate an estimated direct economic impact of UGX 9.68 billion.
Boost for Uganda’s MICE Tourism Industry
The biennial congress serves as a global platform to discuss critical issues including:
Climate change and environmental risks
Food safety and sanitation
Urban health and sustainability
Public health system strengthening
Officials say hosting the congress will significantly benefit Uganda’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.
Hotels, airlines, transport operators, destination management companies, and tour operators are all expected to benefit from the influx of international delegates.
Juliana Kagwa described the successful bid as a major milestone for Uganda’s conference tourism ambitions.
“Winning this bid is a testament to Uganda’s growing stature as a premier meetings and conventions destination,” Kagwa said.
She added that the congress will not only bring global expertise to Uganda but also stimulate investment in hospitality, transport, and tourism.
Uganda Strengthening Global Conference Profile
The bid process was coordinated by the Uganda Convention Bureau under UTB as part of efforts to expand Uganda’s international conference footprint.
According to UTB, the development reinforces Uganda’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for global conferences and knowledge exchange events.
Tourism officials noted that Uganda received approximately 1.37 million international visitors in 2024 — a 7.7 percent increase from 2023 — while tourism earnings hit a record US$1.28 billion, accounting for about 16 percent of total exports.
Preparations for the congress will now proceed jointly between EHWAU, UTB, the Ministry of Health, Makerere School of Public Health, and the International Federation of Environmental Health.
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