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Kampala, May 21, 2026
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2026 officially opened today at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, bringing together tourism stakeholders, investors, travel trade professionals, and government officials under one roof to chart the future of Uganda’s growing tourism industry. The three-day expo, running from May 21st to 23rd, set an optimistic and determined tone from the very first hour, with leaders speaking with one voice about Uganda’s potential to become Africa’s premier tourism destination.
The event drew high-level attention from participants present. In his remarks, President Yoweri Museveni reassured the expo conveners that Uganda is safe from Ebola. The President reaffirmed Uganda’s standing as one of the world’s most distinctive travel destinations, pointing to its favourable climate, rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and enduring peace as the pillars on which the country’s tourism appeal is built.
Addressing the Ebola situation that has drawn international attention in recent weeks, President Museveni moved to dispel any anxiety among potential visitors. He assured the world that Uganda has applied targeted, science-led measures to manage the situation while keeping the economy fully open. His message was clear;
“Uganda is safe, welcoming, and open for business.”
~President Yoweri Museveni
Looking ahead, the president indicated that as Uganda advances toward upper-middle-income status, the tourism experience will improve alongside it, including through more visitor-friendly visa arrangements. He closed with a warm and direct invitation to the world to come and explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Doreen Silver Katusiime echoed the President’s sentiments, crediting his leadership with laying the foundation for the transformation the tourism industry is now experiencing. She noted that Uganda’s peace and stability are not incidental to tourism growth but central to it, forming the bedrock on which everything else is built.
Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa took to the podium with ambition and clarity of purpose. She pledged to position tourism as a frontline driver of the country’s journey to full middle-income status, outlining the sector’s capacity to generate foreign exchange, create employment, and stimulate local economies across the country. For Kagwa, POATE 2026 is not simply an annual gathering but a statement of intent is that Uganda’s tourism industry is ready to scale.
UTB Board Chairperson Pearl Hoareau Kakooza added further optimism to the opening proceedings, pointing to rising visitor projections and their potential impact on Uganda’s GDP. She also highlighted the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Uganda in 2027, as a defining moment for the country’s tourism profile. The tournament, she noted, will place Uganda before a global audience and is expected to spark lasting interest in the destination well beyond the event itself.
POATE 2026 arrives at a significant moment. The tourism sector, which has steadily recovered since the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now posting stronger numbers and attracting renewed investor confidence. This year’s expo features an expanded exhibitor base, a packed conference programme, and an increased presence of international buyers and travel trade professionals from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
For three days, Speke Resort, Munyonyo, will serve as the meeting point between Uganda’s tourism ambitions and the world’s growing curiosity about what the Pearl of Africa has to offer. If the energy of the opening ceremony is anything to go by, what unfolds over the course of the expo may well write a new chapter in Uganda’s tourism story.
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Article by: Lynette Agnes Kembabazi
