The Ugandan hospitality industry has adopted the internationally acclaimed gothic Halloween Day to boost the industry that was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, the industry also adopted the Diwali festival, an Indian festival of lights believed to be one of the most significant events in their culture.  

Halloween was celebrated at the Voice Mall & Hotel on Entebbe Road, but it’s expected to pick up in the run to October 30, 2023, and also attract a number of international visitors. 

Paul Lusu Ochieng, the Marketing Manager, Voice Mall & Hotel, said commemorating Halloween Day is a well-thought idea, which will help the industry. 

“Our location as a hotel plays to our advantage because we are between Entebbe and Kampala. However, as an industry, we need to do a lot of creative marketing to endear our country to foreign and local tourists,” he said. 

According to Wikipedia, Halloween is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.  

It begins the observance of the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed. 

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bradford Ochieng said that the number of local tourists traversing the country is doubling each year since 2020. 

"Before the pandemic, the number of local tourists was not that big, and growth seemed slow. At the time, local tourists’ numbers stood at about 700,000, but the number has been improving since the pandemic. As we speak, 700,000 is what we registered in the half of 2022," he said. He said the recovery in the sector is positive and is expected to improve with end-year festivities. 

"Look at Nyege Nyege, people are willing to move. If you try to book in November, and December most of the accommodation is taken. Domestic tourism is becoming competitive and prices are getting down a bit.  This is a major contribution to domestic tourism," he said.