Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo has successfully hosted the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2026), cementing its reputation as one of Uganda’s leading venues for international conferences and tourism events.
The three-day expo, which ended on Saturday, brought together tourism buyers, tour operators, airlines, hospitality investors, travel media and other stakeholders from different parts of the world.
Organised by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the event focused on marketing Uganda as a top tourism destination and increasing the country’s tourism earnings through high-value visitors.
Throughout the expo, Speke Resort handled a busy schedule of exhibitions, business meetings, panel discussions, cultural showcases and networking sessions attended by both local and international delegates.
The venue’s conference facilities, accommodation, security, transport access and hospitality services played a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the event from start to finish.
POATE 2026 also highlighted the recovery and growth of Uganda’s tourism industry following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism and the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda earned about $1.7 billion (approximately Shs6.1 trillion) from tourism in 2025. The country also recorded 1.65 million international arrivals during the year, up from 1.28 million visitors in 2024.
Tourism players praised the successful organisation of the expo, saying the event created opportunities for partnerships, investment and the promotion of Uganda’s tourism potential to the international market.
