The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) recently hosted a seminar aimed at equipping instructors with insights into new trends in the tourism and hospitality industry. The event emphasized the importance of integrating these trends into the curriculum for Tourism and Hotel Management students.
During the seminar, Mr. Kaneene Moses, the Deputy Principal, expressed gratitude to Ms. Resty Nakasero, the head organizer, for her resilience and leadership in making the event a success. He also thanked Dr. (Ph.D.) Lwanga Fred, the chief guest and head facilitator, for fitting the seminar into his busy schedule, demonstrating his commitment to the institute.
Mr. Moses encouraged departments to organize their own seminars to share operational insights, citing the finance department as an example where many instructors lack knowledge about funding applications for activities such as field trips. He emphasized that this initiative would promote respect for each role and minimize conflicting loyalties.
He urged instructors to prioritize field learning, stating, “It’s very embarrassing to have a tourism student graduate without visiting tourism sites like national parks. How will this student guide clients when they themselves have never visited such sites?”
Mr. Moses also advised his colleagues to embrace collaboration and take pride in their work, encouraging them to pursue opportunities for learning beyond their designated fields.
Dr. Lwanga Fred highlighted the Ugandan government’s efforts to leverage the upcoming 2026 African Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by East African countries, to boost tourism. He urged UHTTI to show the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) that the institute can play a pivotal role in this initiative.
He recommended that the administration develop strategic plans to showcase UHTTI’s unique offerings to decision-makers in the tourism sector, aiming to create lasting impressions that encourage visitors to recommend Uganda as a travel destination.
“We want to attract international tourists attending the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and ensure they stay for two weeks before the competition and an additional three weeks after,” Dr. Fred noted.
He also stressed the importance of partnering with the private sector when reviewing curricula and teaching materials, as many students will find employment there. This collaboration aligns with the East African Community’s initiatives, which facilitate travel between member countries.
Mr. Kawesi Emmanuel, the Dean of Students, thanked all facilitators, particularly Dr. Fred, for his humility and called for others to follow his example. He encouraged instructors to transfer the knowledge gained from the seminar to their students.
The seminar aimed to help instructors deliver engaging lessons and provide relevant examples related to global client demands. Ms. Resty Nakasero emphasized the need for hands-on training, encouraging instructors to take students outdoors for practical experiences, such as camping and campsite management.
UHTTI is committed to researching new trends in the tourism and hotel industries to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for diverse environments. Ms. Catherine Kusasila from the institute’s tourism department presented statistics underscoring the significance of the tourism sector, which contributes approximately $194 billion to the African continent, accounting for about 7.1% of its GDP. In Uganda, tourism contributes $1.6 billion to the GDP, representing about 7.7% of the country’s GDP, and employs approximately 667,000 people, or 6.7% of total employment.
