In a rapidly transforming Uganda, where the hospitality industry is witnessing an impressive surge in state-of-the-art hotels and world-class infrastructure, Tourism minister, Tom Butime, has called for a crucial alignment between this boom and the cultivation of highly skilled, service-oriented professionals in the industry.
Speaking at the close of Uganda’s first-ever National Hospitality Skills competition, Butime emphasized that the country’s burgeoning hospitality sector must be supported by a workforce capable of providing impeccable service, ensuring that the evolving industry remains competitive on a global scale.
The three-day event, held from February 12 to 14, 2025, at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja city, was a collaborative effort between UHTTI, World Skills Uganda, the International Labour Organization (ILO), Enabel, ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities (MTWA), and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Under the theme “Tastes of Uganda,” the competition brought together an impressive array of stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality industries, including government officials, academia, industry leaders and top professionals from renowned hospitality institutions.
Butime, while acknowledging the impressive strides in infrastructure development in Jinja city, highlighted that the city’s growing hospitality infrastructure—evidenced by landmarks such as the Nile Bridge and the ongoing developments at the Source of the Nile— presents vast opportunities for young Ugandans.
He emphasized that to capitalize on these opportunities, institutions like UHTTI play a pivotal role in producing highly skilled professionals who can effectively fill positions in newly established hotels, lodges, and tourism-related businesses.
“Jinja is improving—20 years ago, 10 years ago, five years ago, and today, the transformation is undeniable,” said Butiime.
“Look at the Nile bridge and the developments happening at the Source of the Nile; once these projects are complete, the face of Jinja will change dramatically. UHTTI is already contributing significantly to this transformation, producing professionals who are ready to meet the demands of this growing sector.”
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
The National Hospitality Skills competition was designed not only to showcase the talents of Uganda’s youth but also to motivate them to consider careers in tourism and hospitality as viable and rewarding options.
The competition targeted young people between the ages of 17 and 23, referred to as “early career” entrants in the industry, and provided them with a platform to demonstrate the skills they had acquired in vocational training.
The competition highlighted the importance of culinary tourism, showcasing how food plays a key role in enhancing the visitor experience. It also underscored the need for a service-oriented workforce capable of delivering error-free, world-class service to tourists.
Through these competitions, young Ugandans were able to demonstrate their abilities in four main categories: cookery, pastry & bakery, restaurant service, and floristry.
“Tourists are always looking for authentic culinary experiences, especially when paired with the thrill of wildlife and adventure,” noted Richard Kawele, the principal of UHTTI.
“This competition not only helps enhance the skills of the youth but also contributes to the overall development of Uganda’s tourism sector by ensuring that we have the right professionals to deliver exceptional service to international guests.”