Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, joined leading private sector figures at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Thursday for the formal launch of the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The new framework sets out a five-year roadmap aimed at strengthening coordination and accelerating growth within Uganda’s tourism industry.
The unveiling drew a broad mix of stakeholders, including hospitality leaders, tour and travel operators, government representatives, and business executives. All gathered around a common objective: improving service standards, enhancing collaboration across the sector, and positioning Uganda as a more competitive destination both regionally and internationally.
Dr. Ruparelia, whose conglomerate owns several of the country’s landmark hotels and event venues, has consistently been recognized as a key private investor in tourism infrastructure. Through a portfolio that includes major conference facilities and leisure establishments, his investments have significantly boosted Uganda’s ability to host global summits, corporate gatherings, and large cultural events.
Industry participants at the launch acknowledged that sustained private sector contributions of this nature have helped strengthen Uganda’s reputation as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination.
Speaking to attendees, Dr. Ruparelia emphasized the importance of closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to fully realize tourism’s potential.
“Tourism remains one of Uganda’s most promising sectors. With the right partnerships between government and the private sector, we can significantly increase visitor numbers and create more jobs for our people,” he said.
He added that ongoing investment in quality infrastructure, focused marketing efforts, and skills development within the workforce would be essential to achieving the goals outlined in the new strategic plan.
According to UTA officials, the 2026–2030 strategy is anchored on three main pillars: strengthening cooperation among private sector players, advocating for supportive tourism policies, and promoting sustainable industry practices.
Tourism continues to rank among Uganda’s leading sources of foreign exchange earnings and employment. Those present at the launch expressed optimism that the new strategy, backed by strong investor commitment, would help drive both recovery and long-term expansion.
For many delegates, Dr. Ruparelia’s presence signaled continued commitment from top investors toward the national vision of establishing Uganda as a leading tourism destination on the African continent.
