Entebbe has been selected as one of three global centres to host the United Nations’ consolidated payroll operations, alongside New York and Nairobi.
The move follows reforms under the UN80 Initiative, aimed at “cutting costs and modernising the organisation’s administrative systems.”
The decision, outlined in United Nations documents seen by ChimpReports this Saturday morning, marks the conclusion of Phase I of the Working Group on Efficiencies and Improvements.
Payroll functions, currently carried out in 10 different offices worldwide, will now be centralised in three hubs to improve efficiency, oversight and accountability.
According to the UN, the consolidation is expected to “reduce duplication, enhance automation and ensure stronger continuity” in salary payments to staff across different duty stations.
The proposals are included in the revised estimates for the 2026 programme budget, which will be presented to the General Assembly for final approval.
Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, confirmed that the choice of Entebbe followed months of diplomatic engagement.
“The development came after intense lobbying by Ugandan diplomats in New York, working closely with our Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kampala,” he told ChimpReports.
Economic Implications
Entebbe already hosts the UN Regional Service Centre, which provides administrative and logistics support to peacekeeping missions.
The addition of payroll functions is expected to expand its responsibilities and create further opportunities for local service providers.
The relocation is likely to bring new business for hotels, transport operators, ICT firms and other suppliers in the Entebbe-Kampala corridor.
“International institutions typically have a multiplier effect on host economies.
While the number of direct jobs may not be very large, the demand for services creates wider economic benefits.
Past government reports have estimated that UN operations already contribute tens of millions of dollars annually to Uganda’s economy.
The payroll hub is expected to increase this footprint, although the scale will depend on how many staff and functions are transferred during implementation.