Uganda has officially begun the countdown to the 2027 edition of Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa, with more than 100 hospitality investors, hotel operators, tourism leaders, government representatives, professional associations and private-sector stakeholders gathering in Kampala for the launch reception.
Hosted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Kampala Serena Hotel, the reception at Kampala Serena Hotel marked the formal start of preparations for FHS Africa 2027, which will take place on 2–3 February 2027 at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala.
As Host Partner, UTB is working with FHS Africa to bring Uganda’s tourism and hospitality sector into direct engagement with investors, developers, operators and other industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
Speaking at the reception, Roy Bannister, Head of Strategic Partnerships at FHS Africa, said the significance of bringing the summit to Uganda goes beyond hosting another industry conference.
He described FHS Africa as a platform where “capital meets opportunity, investors meet developers,” with industry relationships capable of developing into new investments and businesses.
The remarks reflect the investment focus of FHS Africa, which brings together hotel owners, investors, developers, operators, financiers, government representatives and tourism authorities around hospitality development and investment opportunities.
Juliana Kagwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board, said the summit’s value lies in its ability to bring different parts of the hospitality industry together.
“Hospitality is about bringing people, ideas and opportunities together,” Kagwa said, describing FHS Africa as a platform for investors, developers, operators and hospitality professionals to meet, exchange knowledge, build relationships and discover opportunities.
She also highlighted Uganda’s location on the equator, its diverse landscapes and its tourism assets, noting that these provide a foundation for further hospitality and tourism development.
The composition of the launch reception reflected the breadth of stakeholders that will be important to the success of the summit.
Representatives from Uganda’s hotel, tourism and hospitality associations joined hotel owners, tour operators, government representatives and private-sector businesses at the event.
Their participation highlighted the wider network behind hospitality investment, where hotels and accommodation connect with aviation, tour operators, food and beverage, attractions, destination management, professional services and local businesses.
For Uganda’s tourism industry, the summit provides a platform for the domestic private sector to engage directly with an international audience of investors, developers and hospitality professionals.
Air connectivity was also highlighted during the reception, with Uganda Airlines recognized for expanding its network and strengthening links between Uganda and other African markets.
The airline’s network expansion, including connections to Accra and Kigali, adds another dimension to Uganda’s efforts to improve access to the destination and facilitate movement between key African markets.
For the hospitality sector, connectivity is closely linked to the movement of leisure visitors, business travellers, investors and conference delegates.
The presence of aviation alongside tourism and hospitality stakeholders at the launch reflected the interconnected nature of the visitor economy.
The Kampala launch now sets the stage for the main FHS Africa 2027 programme in February.
The summit is expected to bring together senior figures from the hospitality investment and development ecosystem, including investors, hotel owners, developers, operators, government representatives and tourism leaders.
For UTB, the event provides an opportunity to present Uganda’s tourism proposition to a specialized hospitality investment audience while creating opportunities for local businesses and international players to establish new relationships.
For the wider Ugandan hospitality industry, attention will now turn to the opportunities that can emerge from those connections, including investment, partnerships, hotel development, tourism products and services.
FHS Africa 2027 will be held on 2–3 February 2027 at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, with registration now open and early-bird rates available.
