By KT Reporter
Uganda’s flagship Street food rolex, childhood memorable snack “paani”, and the centuries old traditional Luwombo, are atop the cuisine showcase come Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2026.
The event, is scheduled to take place from 21st to 23rd May 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, under the theme “Wanderlust – It’s Your Time to Thrive.” Positioning food experience at the heart tourism is an innovation, premiering in this edition.
Speaking at the launch of the Expo, Tourism Minister Tom Butime said the Expo has evolved into a major business and investment platform that tells Uganda’s story to the world. He explained that the theme reflects the deep human desire to explore new places, cultures and connections.
“Wanderlust is more than travel. It is about meaning and discovery,” he said. “Uganda offers unforgettable experiences from our wildlife and culture to food, faith and adventure.”
For the first time, POATE 2026 is featuring the food exhibition showcasing Uganda’s signature snacks, street foods, traditional dishes, exclusively Ugandan vegetables such as malewa and other local delicacies.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) CEO Julian Kaggwa, said this new addition reflects Uganda’s growing focus on culinary tourism. “We want the world to taste the real Uganda,” she said. “Only exhibitors who meet quality standards will participate. Food is a powerful cultural gateway, and we want excellence.”
Kaggwa added that the 2026 Expo will prioritize business deals and confirmed bookings rather than simple displays. “This Expo is about selling. We want every hosted buyer to leave with a paid package or a firm commitment,” she said. “We are engaging top-tier international buyers early to secure meaningful results.”
According to Kagwa, Uganda’s tourism strength has several pillars including wildlife and culture, nightlife, emphasizing that these must be boldly packaged and commercialized. “Exhibitors will be accredited by UTB, after a thorough scrutiny,” she emphasized.
Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) Vice President Isa Kato welcomed the theme and said it captures the emotional pull that Uganda has on visitors. “Wanderlust is a romantic, powerful word,” Kato said. “Some people visit Uganda and never want to leave. We all remember that tourist who stayed on a boda boda until his visa expired because he was so immersed.”
He reaffirmed private sector commitment to quality, adding that the sector must turn inspiration and the event experience into tangible business opportunities.
“Our task is to convert interest into investment, excitement into contracts, and visitor curiosity into market share,” he said. “This is the true power of POATE, and as UTA we will continue strengthening service quality and building capacity across associations.”
Kato added that private sector players will come ready for business: “We shall come with our POS machines and electronic links so clients can pay instantly.”
UTB Chairperson Pearl Kakooza also praised the theme, clarifying its meaning and origin: “It is not wonder but “wander” from the German word ‘wandern,’ meaning to walk, while Lust means desire. So Wanderlust is a strong desire to explore.”
She thanked Minister Butime for increasing UTB’s budget for the financial year, saying it will enable a stronger and more competitive Expo. She challenged the private sector to rethink their offerings and embrace new tourism opportunities.
“Before bringing your POS machines, ask yourself what makes Uganda unique,” she said. “UTB has been pushing agrotourism. When we combine agriculture and tourism, we create powerful experiences linked to national priorities.”
She encouraged tourism businesses to explore partnerships beyond the usual hotel circuits and to innovate boldly.
Kakooza highlighted Uganda’s coffee heritage as a unique selling point that the tourism sector should embrace. “Uganda is the birthplace of robusta coffee,” she said. “It was discovered around our lakeshores in the 1800s. We also have liberica coffee, rare, wild, and found in Buganda. This is part of our identity.”
She called for more research, storytelling and product development around Uganda’s coffee heritage: “Let us amplify robusta and make it central to our tourism brand.”
Butime acknowledged concerns of poor roads and pledged continued work with the Works ministry to improve access to tourist sites. “A visitor should be able to track gorillas, rest well, and move safely to the next destination,” he said. “We are committed to fixing tourism roads and improving airfields, safety, marketing.”
He also celebrated Uganda’s recent ranking as the world’s third-best adventure tourism destination and urged stakeholders to use this momentum to raise visitor numbers to five million annually.
As preparations intensify, stakeholders agreed that POATE 2026 must deliver tangible results, investment, contracts, stronger partnerships, and a clearer global brand.
With Uganda’s food, culture, heritage, coffee and natural attractions taking center stage, the 2026 Expo aims to inspire the world while positioning Uganda as a high-value, high-impact tourism destination. “In Uganda,” Kato said, “Wanderlust becomes a journey and the journey becomes business.”
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