The Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) marked a significant milestone yesterday with a live breakfast meeting broadcast on NBS Television, spotlighting its 25th anniversary and the upcoming Annual Hospitality Expo.
Led by Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) Chairlady Susan Muhwezi, the discussion highlighted the association’s growth and its pivotal role in Uganda’s thriving Uganda Hotels, Uganda Stays, and Uganda Accommodation Booking sectors, which are key components of the Uganda hospitality and tourism sector performance in East Africa Region.
The event, held on Thursday, July 10th, 2025, at 10:00 AM, featured Mrs. Muhwezi, who was re-elected unanimously as Uganda Hotel Owners Association Chairlady in 2019.
With over 500 member properties representing more than 1,000,000 hotel rooms, Uganda Hotel Owners Association has been a driving force in the hospitality industry, which accounts for 90% of employment in the sector, according to the association’s official website.
The TV breakfast show served as a platform to preview the UHOA@25 (Uganda Hotel Owners Association) celebrations and the Annual Hospitality Expo, set to showcase Uganda’s evolving tourism landscape.
Uganda’s tourism industry has seen remarkable growth, with international tourism receipts reaching USD 1.28 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from USD 1.025 billion in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
This resurgence follows a challenging 2020, when key issues affecting Uganda domestic and international arrivals, such as global travel restrictions reduced tourist numbers to 473,085.
Investments in infrastructure, including star-rated Uganda Hotels (now totaling 83 nationwide) and national park enhancements, have bolstered the sector’s appeal, positioning tourism as a cornerstone of the forthcoming 4th Uganda National Development Plan (NDP IV).
The Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) has seen a surge in international brands joining its ranks, including Kampala-based giants like Hilton Garden Inn Kampala, Marriott Kampala, and Latitude Hotel Kampala, signaling investor confidence in the city’s tourism potential.
The Kampala hospitality expo event will feature local and regional exhibitors, offering insights into hospitality interiors, operating equipment, and services tailored to Kampala’s unique market.
Notable Kampala hotels, such as Protea Hotel by Marriott Kampala, known for its eco-friendly initiatives, and Fairway Hotel & Spa, a favorite for its proximity to the city’s business district, are expected to showcase innovations.
The event aims to foster networking, attract new business, and celebrate Uganda Hotel Owners Association’s growth, which now represents over 1,000,000 hotel rooms across Uganda.
The entry of international hotel brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Onomo Hotels into Uganda’s hospitality market underscores growing investor confidence, a trend Muhwezi has championed.
“This is an endorsement of Uganda as a destination open for business,” she stated during her 2019 acceptance speech, pledging continued engagement with government and industry stakeholders.
The food and beverage sector performance report also reflects positive trends, with a projected CAGR of 4.10% from 2023 to 2028, driven by demand for grains and spirits, as noted by market research analyses.
Spotlight on MICE and Wellness
The Uganda Hotel Owners Association Annual Hospitality Expo will spotlight the Uganda MICE Sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), a growing niche in Uganda’s tourism economy, alongside the emerging Uganda Health and Wellness Sector.
With a rise in accommodation occupancy rates to 53.9% in 2023, fueled by domestic and international travelers, the Uganda Hospitality Expo aims to attract global attention to Uganda’s hospitality offerings.
Yesterday’s broadcast on NBS Television, a leading Ugandan network with a decade-long history of influential programming, reached a wide audience, amplifying the association’s vision.
Rashid Kiyimba Chief Executive Officer of Brovad Sands Lodge in Ssese Islands, who supported Muhwezi’s re-election, noted her board’s achievement of over 80% of its targets since 2019.
With tourism contributing 16% to the nation’s exports, the sector’s trajectory suggests a bright future, despite challenges like negative international perceptions that could impact arrivals.
The UHOA@25 (Uganda Hotel Owners Associatio) celebrations and the Annual Hospitality Expo are poised to elevate Uganda’s profile as a tourism hub. Industry leaders remain optimistic, with the expo expected to highlight innovations in Uganda hotels, Uganda stays, and Uganda Accommodation Booking, as well as partnerships with entities like the Uganda Tourism Board and the International Labour Organization.
For tailored solutions to enhance your hospitality business, contact Hospitality Business Solutions Uganda for expert guidance on operational efficiency and growth.
Additionally, explore Hotel Link Solutions for cutting-edge booking and marketing tools to boost your Uganda Accommodation Booking presence.
For more details on the UHOA@25 (Uganda Hotel Owners Association) celebrations and the Annual Hospitality Expo, viewers are encouraged to tune into future NBS Television broadcasts or follow @Ugandahotel on X.
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