Uganda to host 2025 UNESCO Africa  Engineering Week & African  Engineering  Conference

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Uganda has clinched the bid to host the 11th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week alongside the 9th African Engineering Conference, set for 14–20 September 2025 at the plush Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo.

Under the rallying theme “Leveraging Engineering Innovations and Technology to Accelerate Africa’s Socio‑Economic Transformation,” the week‑long gathering is expected to draw hundreds of engineers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders from across the continent and beyond.

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) announced the victory, describing it as a milestone in the country’s drive to position itself as a premier African conference destination.

“Delegates will come to debate the future of African engineering, but they will also discover Uganda’s unrivalled scenery, culture and hospitality,” said UTB chief executive officer Juliana Kagwa.

“This is more than a conference, it is Uganda’s opportunity to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063, deepen cross‑border innovation and celebrate the engineers who are shaping the continent’s future.”

UNESCO Africa Engineering Week is the continent’s flagship platform for celebrating the profession’s contribution to sustainable development. Each edition blends cutting‑edge technical discussions with public exhibitions, mentorship initiatives and STEM‑driven outreach aimed at inspiring a new generation of problem‑solvers.

Kampala’s programme will be no exception: its agenda ranges from panel debates on resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing to hands‑on workshops that translate classroom theory into practical solutions. Delegates will tour hydro‑power installations and agro‑processing hubs, meet entrepreneurs at business‑to‑business forums and explore avenues for investment and financing.

Tourism Commissioner, Vivian Lyazi, views the event as a critical step in Uganda’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy. With a reputation for peace, modern infrastructure and venues such as Munyonyo Convention Centre, he believes the country can soon join South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda and Morocco in Africa’s top five MICE destinations.

Industry analysts agree Uganda now offers the essential ingredients: reliable air links, efficient ground transport, state‑of‑the‑art facilities, professional event services, robust security and a range of leisure options that encourage delegates to extend their stay—all at competitive cost. Recent high‑profile gatherings, including the Non‑Aligned Movement summit and the G‑77 + China meeting, have already showcased Uganda’s capacity to deliver.

UTB and UIPE have formed a national steering committee, begun courting corporate sponsors and project that the September 2025 conference could inject more than sh35 billion into the economy through hotel stays, transport, dining and excursions.

With the countdown underway, Uganda stands ready to display its engineering ingenuity and consolidate its rising stature on the global conference circuit. The Uganda Wildlife Authority Commissioner of Tourism, Steven Masaba, says the meeting coincides with the forthcoming construction of a glass bridge at Murchison Falls.

“With engineering perfection, tourists will have a glimpse of aquatic life while in a glass. This will add to the appeal of the largest park in the country, which also boasts the largest fall along the River Nile,” shared Masaba.