Dr. Sudhir’s Speke Resort Takes Uganda’s Conference Tourism to the World Stage With New Global Award

KAMPALA. Uganda’s campaign to win a larger share of the international conference market has received fresh recognition after Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo was named Uganda’s Leading Conference Hotel 2026 at the World Travel Awards.

The award gives one of the country’s major conference facilities another international distinction at a time when Uganda is seeking to expand its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions market. For the tourism industry, the recognition matters because conference visitors can generate spending across hotels, transport, restaurants, airlines, entertainment and other services.

Speke Resort has developed a reputation around its ability to combine large scale conference facilities with accommodation and a resort setting. Its location in Munyonyo allows international delegates to remain within reach of Kampala while staying in an environment designed for both business and leisure.

The latest recognition is not the property’s first international success this year. Earlier in 2026, Speke Resort was named World’s Best Luxury Convention Resort at the Luxe Global Awards, adding another global accolade to its growing list.

Successive awards can help a destination build confidence among event organisers comparing facilities in different countries. International conferences are highly competitive, and organisers typically look at venue capacity, accommodation, transport links, service standards and the ability of a city to provide activities outside the conference room.

Uganda has increasingly identified conference tourism as an opportunity because of the value created by visitors who often spend more and stay longer than some conventional leisure travellers. A successful international conference can fill hotel rooms, create work for transport operators and restaurants, and expose visiting delegates to the country’s tourism attractions.

The recognition of Speke Resort therefore has implications beyond the property itself. It strengthens the case for Kampala as a place capable of hosting major gatherings and contributes to the visibility of Uganda within the regional conference market.

Private investment is central to that effort. Developing a modern convention facility requires substantial capital, skilled staff and continuous investment in equipment, maintenance and service quality. The growth of Speke Resort’s conference business illustrates the role private investors can play in building infrastructure that supports a national tourism strategy.

Uganda is competing with established conference destinations in East Africa, making international recognition useful in differentiating the country. Yet awards alone do not guarantee a larger share of the market. Uganda still needs efficient air connections, reliable urban transport, strong destination marketing and a consistent service environment.

That is why the World Travel Awards recognition matters partly because of the platform it provides. It gives Speke Resort a credential it can present to organisers while giving Uganda another reason to market itself as a serious conference destination.

For local businesses, the potential benefits are considerable. A conference delegate does not spend only at the venue. Visitors may use taxis, tour operators, restaurants, shops and entertainment facilities, while organisers may purchase services from printers, decorators, technical suppliers and event companies.

The economic chain can extend into communities far beyond Munyonyo. When a major international event brings hundreds or thousands of people to Kampala, the benefits can be distributed through many parts of the service economy.

Speke Resort’s recognition arrives at a strategic moment. Uganda is trying to move from being primarily known as a leisure and wildlife destination to being recognised as a place where serious international business and institutional gatherings can be hosted.

The challenge now is to turn recognition into business. If more conferences follow the award, the result will be measured not only in trophies but in hotel occupancy, visitor spending, new jobs, stronger local suppliers and a larger contribution from business tourism to Uganda’s economy.

Send Us Your Story

If you would like your article or opinion published on The New Light Paper, one of Uganda’s trusted news platforms, send your submission to thenewlightpaper@gmail.com.