Kampala, Uganda: Final preparations are complete at Speke Resort Munyonyo as Uganda prepares to officially open the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2026 (POATE 2026), a flagship tourism event expected to position the country as one of Africa’s leading travel and investment destinations.
The three-day expo, organized by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), will run from May 21 to 23, bringing together thousands of exhibitors, international buyers, investors, tour operators, hospitality brands, and tourism enthusiasts from across the world.
Held against the scenic backdrop of Lake Victoria, POATE has over the years evolved into Uganda’s premier tourism marketing and business networking platform, blending destination branding, investment promotion, culture, and travel trade engagements under one roof.
A Decade of Tourism Promotion
This year’s edition marks a major milestone as POATE celebrates its 10th anniversary under the theme: “Wanderlust – It’s Your Time to Thrive.”
Organizers say the theme reflects Uganda’s ambition to position itself not only as a destination rich in natural beauty and wildlife, but also as a competitive tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub on the global stage.
The expo comes at a time when Uganda is aggressively pushing tourism as a key driver of economic growth, foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, and international visibility.
Tourism, Business and Investment Opportunities
Inside the convention halls, exhibitors are expected to showcase Uganda’s vast tourism offerings including gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, adventure tourism, cultural heritage, eco-tourism initiatives, and luxury hospitality experiences.
Industry discussions will focus on strategic issues such as aviation connectivity, digital tourism marketing, sustainable tourism, film-induced tourism, and expanding Uganda’s reach into emerging international travel markets.
The expo will also prioritize business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) engagements aimed at generating partnerships, investment opportunities, and destination branding deals.
Key Attractions at POATE 2026
One of the major highlights of this year’s edition will be the inaugural Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards, which will recognize outstanding performers, innovators, and storytellers within Uganda’s tourism value chain.
The Hosted Buyers Programme has already seen international delegates taken on familiarization tours to some of Uganda’s iconic destinations including Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park to experience the country’s wildlife and hospitality products firsthand.
The expo will also feature cultural exhibitions, culinary showcases, live entertainment performances, and networking sessions designed to connect local tourism operators with international travel trade stakeholders.
Organizers have further announced free public access on May 22 and 23, alongside transport arrangements to encourage wider public participation in the country’s biggest tourism exhibition.
Uganda’s Tourism Ambitions
Since its relaunch in November 2025 by Tourism Minister Tom Butime, POATE has increasingly transformed into a strategic platform for tourism diplomacy, investment attraction, and sector innovation.
UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa and her team have been overseeing final preparations at Munyonyo ahead of the official opening.
Participation has already been confirmed from key stakeholders including Uganda Airlines, regional tourism boards, hotel chains, travel agencies, and tour operators from across Africa and beyond.
Anticipation Builds
With only hours left to the official opening ceremony, excitement is building across Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry, with stakeholders already amplifying the event online using hashtags such as #POATE2026 and #Wanderlust.
As Munyonyo transforms into a continental tourism hub for the next three days, expectations remain high that POATE 2026 will not only showcase Uganda’s tourism potential but also unlock new investments, partnerships, and global visibility for the sector.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
