The @UrbanActionLab is excited to host @andrew_d_hughes from @IMPACTSheffield as we begin fieldwork for his doctoral research in Kampala on how Congolese refugees navigate flooding, mobility, and livelihoods in informal settlements and commercial corridors. Grateful for the support of local partners including @relonuganda and People for Peace and Defence Rights (PPDR) as we prepare participatory diaries, walking interviews, and community engagement with Congolese refugees across Kampala city. #UrbanAfrica #RefugeeStudies #ClimateChange #Mobility #Kampala @InvisibleMapper @GoodfellowTom @Urban_Inst @NPA_UG @KCCAUG @DLwasa @AfricanCities_ @AfricaUrbanLab @pmukwaya @KasaijaPeter2 @NamuliFisa @judithmbabazi

The @UrbanActionLab researchers @pmukwaya and @HakimuSseviiri and @AfricaUrbanLab Chief of Staff @hebaelhanafi held a productive conversation spanning land governance, urban learning and the future of city-focused teaching and research. At the centre of the discussion was a strong reminder that urban transformation depends on collaboration across universities, policy makers, practitioners and communities. One major them was land governance in Kampala, highlighting the practical role of Local Councils (LCs) in land transactions, even where legal recognition is limited, and the need for clearer processes, land transaction agreement templates, training of LC leaders and stronger institutional engagement to bridge, link and bond with the diversity of actors, interests and regulatory regimes. The conversation also pointed to a bigger truth: urban planning is never only technical. Land, taxation, governance and service delivery are shaped by politics, institutions and everyday lived realities in the city. An exciting area discussed was curriculum reform especially in Sub-Saharan Africa training and research institutions. A recently validated gaps assessment report, stakeholder consultations and opportunities to strengthen teaching in urban planning, urban governance, urban finance and urban economics across universities. Student mobility, collaborative case-study development, and joint research are already creating impact. From Freetown property taxation to Kampala land and governance questions, shared learning materials are helping connect theory to real urban challenges. We are grateful for the growing UAL-AUL partnership and the energy behind it. Looking forward to deeper collaboration on urban economics, municipal finance, land governance and practice-oriented urban education. #UrbanPlanning #UrbanGovernance #UrbanResearch #AfricaCities @AfricanCities_ @GDNint @GoodfellowTom @DLwasa @hebaelhanafi @HakimuSseviiri @kurtislockhart @KasaijaPeter2 @NamuliFisa @KCCAUG @NPA_UG @molhud

The @UrbanActionLab hosts the @AfricaUrbanLab at the regional-wide professional diploma program drive. The key takeaways are; Africa’s cities need bold, skilled leaders. The Professional Diploma in Urban Development at AUL, African School of Economics Zanzibar (ASEZ) is built for the next generation of African builders. It encompasses hybrid learning, expert faculty, real-world capstone. The Diploma connects frontier research to policy action across Africa. Why this diploma stands out: 75% of ASE graduates are placed in top-tier institutions including the World Bank, UNDP, IMF, and FAO. A strong pathway for urban professionals ready to lead. Designed for early- and mid-career professionals, mayors, planners, ministry teams, and development practitioners, this diploma combines in-person sessions in Zanzibar with applied capstone experience. § Scholarships are available for the 2026-27 cohort, with no separate application required. Key deadline: August 1st. Join a growing pan-African network shaping the future of cities. Please apply using this link: aul.city/admissions Highlights from past graduates “When we studied urban finance, we looked at real examples from different countries, from Kampala to Cape Town to Nigeria. You realize that urban challenges in Africa are shared, and that we need to come together, share knowledge, and build collective solutions for Africa’s urbanization.” Eunice Muyama – AUL Alumnus and Planner at Mbale City Council, Uganda. “In most of our institutions, learning is more theoretical, but here you get the practical application of what you are studying, how it is applied, and different case studies. It is really a very, very nice experience.” Jude Sebuliba- AUL Alumnus and Lecturer, School of Economics, Makerere University, Uganda. “I appreciated the exposure, the experience, and interacting with first-class, world-class lecturers. It enhanced a lot of skills in me, and I looked at myself and thought: I knew something before, but now I know better what to do.” Isaac Mugumbule- AUL Alumnus and Head Landscaping at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). #Scholarships #UrbanLeadership #UrbanPlanning #AfricaRising #CityBuilders #UrbanPolicy #Leadership #UrbanDevelopment @AfricanCities_ @DLwasa @HakimuSseviiri @pmukwaya @KasaijaPeter2 @hebaelhanafi @kurtislockhart @judithmbabazi @NamuliFisa @karenhelmy1

City researchers, regulators, academy and practitioners clearly stated: planners need more than design skills. They need urban finance, urban economics, and stronger digital capabilities from spatial analytics to AI to respond to the realities of contemporary cities. Deliberate efforts to turn ideas into systems are need: short courses, summer schools, case studies, and stronger links with regulators and practitioners offer meaningful pathways. Curriculum reform works best when it is structured, collaborative, and practical. #UCCC #ProfessionalDevelopment #UrbanEducation #UrbanFinance #DigitalSkills @DLwasa @AfricanCities_ @NPA_UG @pmukwaya @HakimuSseviiri @NamuliFisa @KCCAUG @IJURResearch @AfricaUrbanLab

@UrbanActionLab participated in the recently concluded University Coalition on Curriculla for Cities (UCCC) at @UniversityArdhi where universities, practitioners, regulators and urban managers met to validate the gaps assessment report on urban training in SSA. Discussions revealed what serious curriculum reform looks like: research, validation, practitioner input, and a focus on priority gaps that universities can act on now. Planning education must connect more directly to African urban realities. #UCCC #UrbanPlanning #HigherEducation @KenyattaUni @MekUniETH @AfricaUrbanLab @IJURResearch

@AfricanCities_ monthly reflection meeting, bringing all 5 initiatives together @UrbanActionLab focused on reviewing progress, mainstreaming political settlements and documenting learning.@NamuliFisa @pmukwaya @dianamitlin @DLwasa @ACTogetherUG @HakimuSseviiri @amywordley