Kampala’s skyline welcomes two luxury hotels: Twed Heights Hilton with 257 rooms and a 500-seat ballroom, and Kampala Marriott Hotel, elegant suites, executive apartments, and world-class amenities for business and leisure.
The drive to tap into and support the 2024 ten-fold economic targets started last year and is likely to intensify. Investors are positioning themselves for what is projected to be a period of inclusive growth. In the tourism sector—particularly in the hospitality subsector—the pace has already picked up, with luxurious hotels, apartments, and malls gracing Kampala’s skyline.
Under Vision 2040, Uganda has built ambitious projections, which, if realised, will herald the country into a generation of many firsts.
Of course, the big one is increasing it tenfold in the next 15 years from $50b as of June last year to $500b.
Of course, this will require the economy to work more efficiently, and different levers will be needed. However, today, we look at tourism—just a bite of it—where projections are far and wide.
Under the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) subsector, focus has been on investing in infrastructure to attract multi-million dollar investments from private individuals and international corporations and escalate the delivery of required targets.
By 2040, tourism is projected to contribute at least $12b in foreign exchange, which would be a tremendous improvement from the current contribution of $1.5b
However, to achieve the targeted revenues, the government must act quickly and invest in infrastructure, such as upgrading airports, improving domestic air transport, building roads and water transport systems, and extending electricity and ICT infrastructure to key tourism sites.
This will automatically feed into the larger plan, through which investors will invest in six-star hospitality facilities, such as state-of-the-art hotels and luxury lodges.
Already, several ongoing hotel and luxury accommodation projects are likely to redefine Kampala’s skyline. These promise a blend of luxury and futuristic settings, envisioned to aid the polity’s tourism industry by drawing numbers of visitors.
We review some of them below:
Twed Heights and Hilton Hotel
The project is an outstanding 26-floor mixed-use development in the leafy Nakasero suburbs.
It boasts a luxury Hilton hotel and premium 5-star office spaces offering stunning views overlooking the golf course. It is comprised of two distinct towers – one dedicated to the hotel and the other to office spaces.
The office component spans 13,310 square meters across 11 floors – from the 3rd to the 13th floor – with each floor providing approximately 1,365 square meters of gross lettable space and around 1,210 square metres of net lettable space.
On the 14th floor, there is a designated residential apartment level that adds to the mixed-use development.
The project also features a standard helipad that caters for high-profile clients and guests.
The hotel is expected to offer a total of 257 elegant rooms, complemented by 11 state-of-the-art meeting rooms on the first floor and a grand 500-seater ballroom perfect for events and conferences.
To ensure seamless movement throughout the building, 13 lifts have been provided and the extensive parking facility offers space that can park up to 518 vehicles, spread across five levels, ensuring convenience for all users.
The highlight of the facility, however, is the Executive Sky Bar on the rooftop, which offers breathtaking views and a luxurious atmosphere for relaxation and socialising.
The project’s total built-up area is 75,670 square meters, and it was designed meticulously to align with Hilton brand standards as of January 2020.
The project has standard Fire Lise Safety requirements and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Hoima City Stadium: A worthy investment or another white elephant in the making?It has engaged one of one of the highest numbers of consultants in Uganda – 44 – who have produced comprehensive reports that go beyond basics, cover critical areas such as geotechnical assessments, traffic studies, and structural calculations, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, among others.
The building is classified as super Grade A and is aligned perfectly with the requirement of a 5-star office space.
Available information indicates there is a total of 6,050 square metres of office space available ready for lease.
Marriot Hotel Kampala
The Kampala Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments will redefine urban luxury and share the prestige of a 6-star destination.
The ambitious development in Nsambya, opposite Mestil Hotel and within walking distance of Arena Mall, will be one of the key beneficiaries of the new Kampala Flyover Project, which has streamlined access and decongested a large part of Kampala.
The architectural vision features two striking twin skyscrapers, soaring 28 floors high.
The two create an impressive silhouette on the outlines of Kampala. They encompass a blend of functionalities, spacious offices, vibrant commercial spaces, luxurious residential apartments, and essential support facilities that cater to both short-term visitors and long-term residents.
The hotel offers a diverse selection of six types of elegant rooms, complemented by a range of food and beverage venues, a luxurious spa, multi-functional meeting spaces, and a serene pool area complete with a sun-soaked pool deck, while the executive apartment building features five types of upscale apartments, including a grand penthouse, designed for optimum comfort and style.
The facade lighting concept—crafted to illuminate the towers—stands out. It enhances the architectural elements of the striking wooden screens at the crown of the buildings, allowing them easy recognition while creating cohesive, aesthetic 3D impressions.
The facility is environmentally conscious, with the lighting systems adhering to dark sky criteria, which minimises light pollution and safeguards the night sky.
Implementing full cut-off luminaires alongside strategically positioned fixtures ensures a serene environment that respects the natural ambience.
The guest experience remains a fundamental consideration in both facade and interior lighting designs. Lighting elements are carefully selected and placed to minimize disturbance for guests and visitors.
The interior lighting concept creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlighting materials and providing engaging focal points and contrasts throughout the space.
The choice of warm colour temperatures fosters a welcoming environment, while the interior design’s thoughtful coordination of accessories and details ensures that comfort prevails, even when all the lights are on.
The Kampala Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments represents a balanced blend of luxury, sustainability, and innovation.
Changing skyline
With the economy now on course, Kampala, and perhaps its suburbs, has been going through a makeover that will certainly feed into the $500b economic targets.
The vibrant array of developments, including luxurious hotels, sprawling shopping malls, and luxury apartment complexes, present a bustling to match up to expectations.
The projects appear ambitious but fit into the picture of an expectant world of foreign investors, who arrive with a fresh breath of sophistication and expectations.
