Gulu, Uganda: Hoteliers across northern Uganda have united under the newly formed Northern Uganda Hoteliers Association (NUHA) to unlock growth opportunities and strengthen the region’s tourism sector ahead of the inaugural Gulu OctoberFest.
The Northern Uganda Hoteliers Association (NUHA), formed less than a month ago, has already attracted 126 members and is targeting more from over 1,000 facilities across West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja (WALK).
Mr. Sunil Kumar Tanda, proprietor of Northern Pearl Hotel in Gulu and the elected chairman of NUHA, said the association was created to unite the sector, advocate for favorable policies, and position northern Uganda as a vibrant tourism destination.
“NUHA was established to strengthen hotel businesses, amplify our collective voice, and ensure that northern Uganda takes its rightful place in tourism and hospitality,” Tanda told members during a meeting at Hotel Judith in Gulu City.
He explained that the association would lobby for tax relief, support training to raise service standards, and help hotels with registration, classification, and promotion. NUHA also intends to build international partnerships while engaging key government institutions such as the Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism.
“We are all hoteliers. Today, we are not standing here as competitors but as benefactors of each other, learning, sharing, and guiding one another so that we improve,” Tanda added.
The association is already mobilizing members for the Gulu City OctoberFest, a cultural festival organized by Gulu City Council and the Rotary Club, scheduled for 6th–14th October 2025. The event, the first of its kind in the region, is expected to attract over 1,000 European visitors, including lawmakers and mayors from Germany, alongside thousands of Ugandans and regional guests.
Ms. Irene Adakun, General Manager of Bomah Hotel and NUHA vice chairperson, said preparations were underway for members to meet international standards by improving food, rooms, ambience, and security ahead of the festival.
Other hoteliers expressed optimism. Mr. Kenneth Odoch Ochora, proprietor of Great North Safaris, said the association would boost referrals and open doors to northern Uganda’s hidden gems, from Aruu Falls to Baker’s Fort. He urged the government to establish a Uganda Tourism Board regional office and training center in Gulu to professionalize the sector.
“The hospitality industry brings in billions of dollars, yet very few qualified individuals work in it. We need regional training opportunities here in Gulu, not just in Jinja,” Odoch stressed.
Ms. Laker Fiona, manager of Cast Hotel in Kitgum, welcomed NUHA as a stronger voice for engagement with authorities. “I have struggled alone on issues like power, water and taxes, but with NUHA our concerns will carry more weight,” she said.
Mr. Simon Peter Onguti, General Manager of Jojos Palace Hotel in Gulu, highlighted benefits such as training, collective buying, advocacy and referrals, saying skeptics who fear exposure to higher taxes should instead embrace transparency.
According to Ms. Adakun, NUHA is also open to collaboration with restaurants, bars, tour companies and clubs, while promoting local procurement of food and supplies to boost the regional economy. The association has begun compiling a comprehensive database of member hotels and services.
TMs. Adakun believes the creation of NUHA is a turning point for the hospitality industry in northern Uganda and that it will give hoteliers a united platform to tackle shared challenges and seize new opportunities, beginning with the upcoming Gulu OctoberFest.
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