The government of Uganda has pledged to increase the resource envelope for hospitality and tourism institutions across the country, aiming to enhance the workforce in the country’s pivotal sector.
This development was revealed by Rtd. Col. Tom Butime, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, on Friday, November 8, 2024, while presiding over the 15th graduation of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja City.
Minister Butime stated that the government is committed to undertaking various measures to ensure proper training for the industry workforce.
“I want to affirm that the government will continue to prioritize and increase the resource envelope allocated to the skilling of the tourism workforce,” said Hon. Butime.
According to him, the government has promoted local and international collaborations, developed tourism infrastructure across the country, increased budgetary allocations, and focused on capacity building for sector value chains, all of which have contributed to positive outcomes.
The Jinja-based government UHTTI, which the minister praised for its crucial contribution to the ministry, graduated a total of 459 students in various disciplines to fill gaps in the hospitality and tourism sector. These graduates successfully completed two-year programs at the Certificate and Diploma levels.
“It is gratifying to note that graduates from UHTTI are highly sought after by many employers because of their quality. Additionally, UHTTI continues to impact the community through outreach services, research, innovation, and curriculum development,” he noted.
The minister elaborated on and commended the significance of tourism sector agencies and stakeholders that have contributed to the sector’s progress, which plays a key role in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
These include the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), International Labour Organization (ILO), and Busoga Kingdom, among others.
Butime, who congratulated the graduates on their great achievement, urged them to explore more opportunities and open doors for themselves in the world of work.
“Ensure that you remain innovative, as this is the only way you will overcome the challenges ahead. Apply the knowledge and skills imparted to you equitably and prepare to be at the forefront of leading the struggle that will transform the lives of our people,” he told the graduates.
UHTTI Principal Mr. Richard Kawere emphasized that new infrastructure and curriculum development would ensure that 80% of the course content focuses on skills acquisition, ensuring that students graduate with the necessary competencies.
He said the goal remains to achieve a center of excellence not only in Uganda but also across the region.
“The magnificent facility is in its final stages, and by next year, the Crested Crane Hotel-Jinja will be in operation, offering UHTTI students a real-world experience that will boost their confidence to work in similar environments elsewhere,” Mr. Kawere said.
He noted that the institute has been recognized internationally, with 69 Congolese students, 9 Rwandese, 35 from South Sudan, and 4 Burundians among UHTTI’s 15th graduating class.
Ms. Florence Naduk, the vice chairperson of UHTTI’s Board of Governors, expressed the Board’s commitment to steering the institution’s vision of becoming a center of excellence for tourism and hospitality training in the country and the region.
“This is evidenced by the number of activities undertaken to transform the Institute, including staff recruitment, capacity building, curriculum development, international benchmarking, and local and international collaborations,” Ms. Naduk said.
She added, “In line with the Performance Charter signed at the beginning of our term, the Board has successfully undertaken improvements in curriculum delivery and assessment to match international standards and current labor market demands. A policy to digitalize all Institute programs and systems has also been put in place and is undergoing implementation by management.”
Out of the 459 graduates, 268 were from the regular program, while 191 were from the apprenticeship program funded by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and implemented by the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Education, and UHTTI.
Of the total, 271 were female, representing 59% of the graduates, while 188 were male, accounting for 41%.
Mr. Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, the General Manager of Sheraton Hotel Kampala, applauded UHTTI’s contribution to the hospitality industry over the past three decades. He said the institute has effectively nurtured quality manpower capable of competing in the global market.
“Always remember the core principles of the hospitality industry: customer care and effective communication,” Mr. Bittencourt advised.
