The $130 million (UGX 354 billion) Hoima City Stadium has ignited a national debate: will it be a transformative investment for Uganda’s sports and tourism landscape, or another white elephant…
As the calendar inches closer to its final page, few destinations capture the spirit of celebration quite like Speke Resort Munyonyo — Uganda’s crown jewel of lakeside luxury. This year,...
In his first 100 days at the helm of marketing the Uganda Tourism Board, Francis Nyende has injected new energy, strategy, and partnerships into the “Explore Uganda” brand. With landmark...
In this wide-ranging interview with CEO East Africa Magazine, Jean Byamugisha, the Executive Director of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), offers an insider’s perspective on why uptake remains low,...
Uganda wants to double its tourism revenues, raise annual visitor arrivals to 1.9 million by 2026, and grow the sector’s contribution to GDP to 10% by 2040. But beneath these...
Uganda is constructing a one-of-a-kind conference and convention centre which upon completion will be the biggest modern conference centre of its kind in East Africa. The Speke Resort Convention Centre, being developed as a joint venture between the Government of Uganda and the Ruparelia Group, according to a project profile, comprises a gross built-up area of 21,677 Sqm with a total capacity of 9,000 people. The Ruparelia Group is Uganda’s largest hospitality Group with several hotels. The centre consists of 3 floors, the main hall which is 4,600 square metres and can accommodate a total of 4,400 delegates in its…
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After making a fortune in supermarkets and commercial real estate, Ponsiano Ngabirano, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Capital Shoppers Supermarkets, has ventured into the hospitality industry. The retail UGX billionaire is building a 400-room 5-star hotel in Nsambya, Kampala, next to Méstil Hotel & Residences Kampala. The iconic structure that has already earned space on the Kampala skyline and is a walking distance from the Arena Mall is to be completed by 2023/24, just around the same time the traffic-jam-killing Kampala Flyover project will be complete. Born in 1955 in Rukungiri, in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda, he in…
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Ishaazi Farm Lodge is located in Rushere town along Kaguta Road in Kiruhura District in southwestern Uganda. Kiruhura is home to the Bahima people, who are part of the cattle-keeping community of Uganda. Ishaazi is a Runyankore term used to refer to the resting grounds for cattle. The lodge is perched atop a hill that rolls down to a green valley overlooking the main road. It is located a few metres from the main road. The lodge is a home away from home, especially for those travelling as family or friends. The lodge has 13 rooms with an accommodation capacity…
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Lemala Wildwaters Lodge is the world’s second most Instagrammable Hotel for 2022, according to a global contest organized by Luxury Travel Advisor. The Lodge came second to The Shore Club Turks and Caicos, in a tight race that saw the finalists go through six rounds of voting during which they had to overcome formidable competition from world class properties in Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Lemala got 70, 509 votes while The Shore Club, got 74,637 votes out of the total 145,000 representing Africa and Europe, and Latin America and Caribbean bracket respectively. Lemala sits on a…
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Uganda tourism Board (UTB) has come out and dismissed what they termed as false and innacurate, the claims by Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) regarding the development process and the launch of Uganda tourism destination brand. In a parallel press statement, released yesterday January 19, 2022, UTA alleges that the association was not engaged and consulted during both the development of the brand as well as the organisation of the event leading to the launch. In response, UTB has released a statement explain the circumstances surrounding the controversial situation. Below is the full statement by Uganda Tourism Board UGANDA’S HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED DESTINATION…
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By Hon. Daudi Migereko and Prof. Katende. M. Suleyman The past two years have been difficult ones. As we come to the end of 2021, it only reminds us of all the importance of family, friends, and the need to be leisured with our loved ones and most importantly, the need to get out of our homes and enjoy our beautiful country, Uganda. We continue to reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected tourism, the tourism industry and the associated businesses. Some new approaches to tourism have emerged and presented new opportunities to diversify and even look further inward…
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Yogi Birigwa is a household name in the Ugandan and Africa’s aviation and tourism industries. Yogi, as she is known, has built an industrious career in the aviation and tourism industries for more than 20 years. She started her career in the aviation industry in the early 2000s as a general manager at United Airlines and held the position for five years. She has also served as South African Airways regional manager for Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia, from 2005 to 2020. Yogi attributes her long stint in the aviation industry to professionalism, “In aviation, whatever you do you have to…
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Before the emergence of COVID-19, tourism was the leading foreign exchange earner for Uganda, generating US$1.6 Billion in annual foreign exchange earnings, creating 536,600 direct jobs, and bringing in 1,542,620 foreign visitors as of 2019. According to a study conducted by the Tourism Ministry, the sector was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Annual foreign exchange earnings dropped by 73% to US$0.5 Billion while foreign visitors dropped by 69.3% to 473,085. Employment opportunities also dropped by 70% to 160,980. As of June 2020, hotel occupancy rates dropped from an average of 58% to as low as 5% with over 75%…
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Even though there is quite some competition in Kampala’s hotel space- with average occupancy rates standing at about 58% (a hotel needs about 40% occupancy to break even), with key noticeable names like Sheraton, Speke, Marriott, Serena, Hilton and Protea, all jostling for guests, Latitude 00 has also decided it has what it takes to compete with the big boys. And yes, they have put up quite a marvel of a property. Our lifestyle reporter, Pearl Kitimbo, gave them a visit and brings you quite some fascinating reviews!
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On their website, this is how Latitude 0° describe themselves: “We are more than just a hotel with 47 guest rooms and suites, a 24-hour front desk, and fast airport transfers. We are two restaurants and three bars with culinary delights and a wide variety of drinks from all corners of the world. We are a haven for relaxation and fitness through our spa, gym and swimming pools. We are a socialising and networking centre with lounges, rooftop bar, private dining and entertaining spaces, and a calendar filled with music, art, fashion and business events. We are a co-working hub with private workspaces, meeting and conference rooms. A unique African lifestyle hospitality, blending modern urban Africa with a cosmopolitan twist.
We can’t agree more.
We hope you agree with us too!
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