Entebbe has been chosen as one of only three global centres for the United Nations’ consolidated payroll operations, joining New York and Nairobi in this high-level reform. The selection comes under the UN80 Initiative, a cost-cutting and modernization drive aimed at streamlining the organisation’s administrative systems.
Currently, payroll functions are scattered across 10 offices worldwide, but these will now be centralized into the three hubs to improve efficiency, oversight, and accountability. According to UN documents, the reform is designed to “reduce duplication, enhance automation, and ensure stronger continuity” in salary payments to staff across global duty stations. The revised budget estimates will be presented to the UN General Assembly in 2026 for final approval.
Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, confirmed that Entebbe’s selection followed months of intense lobbying by Ugandan diplomats in New York working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The announcement also builds on Entebbe’s existing role as host of the UN Regional Service Centre, which already provides administrative and logistics support to peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Beyond strengthening Uganda’s diplomatic footprint, the payroll hub is expected to have ripple effects across the local economy. Experts note that international institutions often create a multiplier effect: while direct jobs may be limited, the demand for services ranging from hotels and transport to ICT and suppliers is expected to surge along the Entebbe-Kampala corridor. Past reports indicate that UN operations already inject tens of millions of dollars annually into Uganda’s economy, and the payroll hub is likely to deepen this impact, depending on the scale of staff relocation and services transferred.
Entebbe’s elevation as a global UN hub signals not only Uganda’s growing relevance in international diplomacy but also a timely opportunity for local businesses to tap into new streams of growth. For policymakers and entrepreneurs alike, the challenge now is to prepare and position for the opportunities this expansion will bring.