Uganda has been chosen to host the 2027 Future Hospitality Summit, an event billed as the largest hospitality gathering in Africa in 2027.
Coming in February, just before Uganda hosts the Africa Cup of Nations (jointly with Kenya and Tanzania), it poses the question of Uganda’s capacity to host major international conventions and events.
Organised by the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, this is an investment conference targeting exposing the investment opportunities available in the country, with different categories of hospitality investors expected to attend.
Oy Banister, the head of strategic partnerships at FHS Africa, said Uganda’s growing international visibility and positive reputation made it the ideal destination to host the continental hospitality investment forum, adding that their audience is global investors interested in investing in the hotel and hospitality industry in Africa.
He says that clearly, Uganda is now firmly on the radar, and that this is the right time for the world to take notice.
For over a decade, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa has been the launchpad for hospitality investment in Africa, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming the continent’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
It brings together global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders committed to turning potential into reality.
Recent reports by an AfCON committee assessing the readiness of the country to host the tournament, which is expected to attract between 1 and 3 million visitors, gave Uganda a low score on facilities, including hotels and accommodations.
But Jean Byamugisha, the Chief Executive Officer at the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, says that currently, the country is at 70 percent readiness to host such big events, adding that many new hotels, including international chains, have increased efforts to put up 5-star hotels around the country.
She adds that with the developments on roads in Kampala and the airports, there are all the indicators that global investors will find Uganda more attractive to invest in.
On her part, Rita Nabateregga Mugula, Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion at the Uganda Investment Authority, says UIA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, where they are mapping the conserved areas to attract the investors into, after which they give concessions to prospective investors.
She says that they are aware of challenges to investors, including bureaucracy, multiple taxes, and others, but adds that the tax holidays and exemptions available are helping investors, though more is needed to improve the investment climate.
On the country’s overall preparedness, Uganda Tourism Board Executive Director Rita Kagwa says that as a promoter of the sector, they are confident that the ongoing infrastructure improvements will boost investments in the tourism sector.
She, however, adds that investments in the sector also put pressure on the government to enhance infrastructure investment, saying it has happened in countries in and outside Africa.
She, however, adds that there are heavy investments in the training of human resources in response to complaints about poor service delivery. Kagwa says that now the country can train people to global standards-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
