Jinja: The government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, has donated two high-powered motor vehicles to the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) to enhance the institution’s capacity to execute hospitality duties.
These vehicles include a Driving Training Vehicle and a state-of-the-art Customized Mobile Catering Truck.
The vehicles were handed over on Monday, September 2, 2024, to Mr. Richard Kawere, the UHTTI Principal, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Doreen Katusiime, at the Uganda Museum in Kampala.
Mr. Kawere emphasized the significance of the vehicles for the training of hospitality students.
“These vehicles will play a crucial role in equipping students with essential driving and catering skills,” Mr. Kawere said.
The vehicles were provided under the Competitive Enterprise Development Project of Uganda, a World Bank-funded initiative being implemented by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
The institution’s publicist, Mr. Daniel Kazungu, said the vehicles will enable the Institute to fulfill its mandate as a Centre of Excellence for hospitality and tourism training.
“Our students, especially those pursuing tourism, need driving skills. We commend the government for equipping the institute with these vehicles,” Mr. Kazungu said.
Mr. Kazungu also mentioned that the mobile catering truck will not only enhance students’ catering skills but will also be used for outside catering services.
“We conduct outside catering services and mobile clinics aimed at imparting hospitality skills to members of the public, including food vendors. We believe this vehicle will ease necessary transportation as it is equipped with all the relevant tools,” he further stated.
The government has significantly invested in upgrading the Jinja-based Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute. Among the projects the government has funded are the construction of a Shs24 billion three-star hotel, Shs19 billion in institutional infrastructure, an institute bus, and a van, among others.
The institution currently has over 700 students pursuing various hospitality-related disciplines.
