Ugandan promoters eye global deals at Utalii Africa Tourism Expo

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Uganda's business community into tourism and is interested in partnering with global brands in the sector, should take advantage of the forthcoming Utalii Africa Tourism and the Africa Franchise Expo to secure partnerships with global investors in the sector.

Under the Franchise expo, exhibitors will engage with investors, infrastructure needed for tourism like hotels, services, supply chains, and also tips on resource mobilisation for the sector.

This, according to Francis Mugoga, the chief executive director of UTALII Africa Tourism and Franchise Expo, is organising the event.

He added that the Franchise Expo will provide a platform where established international brands and emerging African enterprises can connect with investors and entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses.

“By bringing these two platforms together, the Mega Expo creates a unique ecosystem where tourism development, infrastructure investment, and brand expansion can happen simultaneously,” Mugoga explained.

Adding that investors attending the event will have the opportunity to explore both physical infrastructure in place, such as hotels, resorts, and tourism centres, to gauge potential areas of partnerships.

The expo that kicks off on the 25th to the 27th of June 2026 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala will run under the theme ‘One Africa, One Market: Transforming Tourism into a Catalyst for Investment, Trade, and Prosperity.’

It brings together government leaders, investors, tourism boards, hospitality companies, franchise brands, entrepreneurs, and development partners from across Africa and the global marketplace.

In addition to benefits from the B2B meeting and engagements including seminars, workshops, policy dialogues, and investor forums, exhibitors will also take part in speed networking sessions, buyer and investor meet-ups, and destination showcases, among others.

He explained further that integration of the two expos creates a synergy where tourism developers and real estate investors can present hotel, resort, and mixed-use projects to franchise brands and hospitality operators seeking expansion opportunities.

At the same time, franchise companies can identify prime locations within tourism developments where they can establish restaurants, retail outlets, wellness centres, and service brands, Mugoga explained further.

“This dual opportunity allows investors to evaluate both infrastructure and operational ventures within a single platform, significantly increasing the likelihood of partnerships and investment deals. By facilitating collaboration between developers, brands, governments, and entrepreneurs, the Expo creates an environment where multiple sectors intersect to support economic growth,” he explained further.