Kampala Eyes Global Award for Clean Air Innovation

Kampala has been named among the world’s top 15 cities for the 7th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation.

The recognition highlights Kampala Capital City Authority’s efforts to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable city.

Kampala earned the shortlist through its Air Quality Improvement Project. The project uses technology, community involvement and data to tackle air pollution.

The announcement came days after KCCA was named best urban authority at the 2026 National Environment Sustainability Awards.

The 2026 Guangzhou Award attracted 381 project submissions from 248 cities in 60 countries.

The projects covered climate resilience, green development, digital governance, artificial intelligence, public service delivery and social inclusion.

A technical committee of nine international experts reviewed the submissions. It selected only 15 cities for the final stage.

Kampala will compete with cities from Brazil, China, Colombia, Greece, Kenya, Morocco, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, Türkiye, Argentina and Russia.

Five cities will win global awards later this year.

KCCA says the Air Quality Improvement Project forms part of its wider plan to protect public health and make Kampala more liveable.

Over the past few years, the authority has set up more than 100 air quality monitoring devices across the city.

The devices provide real-time data. This helps planners and environmental experts identify pollution hotspots, track trends and guide action to reduce pollution.

KCCA has also partnered with Makerere University on a community-led air quality monitoring programme.

Under the initiative, residents receive training as Air Quality Champions. They also get smartphones and a mobile application that gives them real-time air quality information.

The champions use the application to run awareness campaigns in communities affected by transport emissions, biomass use and other sources of pollution.

They also encourage residents to change behaviour and take part in local action.

The air quality project is one of several initiatives under KCCA’s environmental sustainability agenda.

The authority has increased tree planting in schools, road reserves and public spaces. It has also expanded green areas, strengthened waste separation and recycling, promoted community clean-up exercises and improved environmental enforcement.

KCCA has also added non-motorised transport to its infrastructure programme.

Pedestrian walkways now form part of every newly built or rehabilitated road to support safer and greener movement.

Officials say the interventions are improving Kampala’s environment and helping the city respond to climate change.

The finalists will present their projects before the winners of the 7th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation are announced later this year.