Preparations are underway for the Kigezi Sub-region to host Uganda’s 2026 World Population Day national celebrations, with an assessment team evaluating districts considered suitable to stage the prestigious event.
Officials from the National Planning Authority (NPA) have begun inspecting shortlisted districts in Kigezi to determine the most appropriate host for the national commemorations scheduled for July 11, 2026.
Speaking during a meeting with Kabale district leaders at the District Rukiiko Hall on Makanga Hill in Kabale Municipality on Thursday, Senior Planner at the NPA, John Ampeire, revealed that three districts, Kabale, Rubanda, and Rukungiri are under consideration.
Ampeire explained that although five districts in the sub-region had initially been earmarked for assessment, Kisoro and Kanungu were dropped due to their proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently battling an Ebola outbreak.
“We are here to assess the district’s suitability to host the national celebrations,” Ampeire said.
Observed every year on July 11, World Population Day has been commemorated in Uganda since 1989 as a platform to raise awareness and rally support around population and development challenges affecting communities across the country.
Ampeire noted that the national celebrations are rotated across Uganda’s four regions annually, adding that the 2026 edition has been designated for Western Uganda, specifically the Kigezi Sub-region.
He explained that the rotational hosting arrangement seeks to deepen public awareness on population and development matters, encourage innovation and research for sustainable development, and promote the integration of population concerns into government policies and programmes.
The celebrations also aim to empower communities, particularly women and youth, while mobilizing coordinated action among government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, and local communities to tackle population-related challenges.
Kabale District LCV Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi expressed optimism about the district’s chances of hosting the event, saying Kabale has a strong track record of successfully organizing major national functions.
He said residents are enthusiastic about the possibility of hosting the celebrations and confident that the district possesses the required infrastructure and standards.
Ndyomugyenyi also pledged to work closely with stakeholders and development partners to ensure smooth preparations should Kabale be selected.
Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Muramira Kyakashari welcomed the prospect, noting that hosting a national event of such magnitude would provide economic benefits to local residents through increased demand for accommodation, catering, and other services.
He assured the assessment team that the district security committee stands ready to offer full support to guarantee a successful event if Kabale secures the hosting rights.
