Uganda’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a destination for major international conferences have received a significant boost after Speke Resort Munyonyo was recognised as the World’s Best Luxury Convention Resort at the 2026 LUXE Global Awards.
The international accolade places the Kampala-based property among the world’s recognised luxury destinations for business events and further strengthens Uganda’s profile in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.
Owned by businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Speke Resort Munyonyo has established itself as an important venue for international conferences and high-level gatherings by bringing together meeting facilities, accommodation, restaurants and other hospitality services within one destination.
Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, the resort’s conference operations are centred around the Rwenzori Convention Centre. The facility features more than 34 meeting and conference venues, over 10,000 square metres of flexible event space and 476 guestrooms and suites.
Its scale allows the resort to accommodate different meetings and events at the same time, making it suitable for large international conferences that may attract hundreds or even thousands of participants.
Speke Resort Munyonyo has previously hosted several high-profile international events. These include the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit, the G77+China Third South Summit, the Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers, the Uganda-European Union Business Forum and the African Airlines Association Annual General Assembly.
Such gatherings have attracted presidents, government officials, diplomats, corporate executives and representatives of international organisations. Hosting these events has given Uganda an opportunity to showcase its capacity to accommodate major international engagements.
The latest award comes at a time when Speke Resort Convention Centre is also increasing its links with international organisations within the global meetings and events industry.
The convention centre is a Convention Centre Partner of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), an international body that promotes professional standards and expertise within the congress and meetings industry.
Such international partnerships can help increase a venue’s exposure among professional conference organisers and decision-makers searching for destinations capable of handling large-scale events while providing accommodation, catering and other supporting services.
For Uganda, the recognition is particularly relevant as the country seeks to expand tourism beyond traditional wildlife and leisure experiences. MICE tourism offers an opportunity to attract international visitors whose spending can benefit a wide range of businesses.
Conference delegates typically require accommodation, transportation, restaurants, entertainment and other services during their stay. Major events can therefore create business opportunities for hotels, taxi and transport operators, event organisers, suppliers, restaurants and other service providers.
The growing focus on conference tourism also comes as Kampala seeks to strengthen its position as a regional centre for business and international meetings. Investments in hotels, convention facilities and related infrastructure have increasingly become part of efforts to attract more international events to the capital.
However, winning major conferences requires more than an impressive venue. Organisers also consider factors such as flight connectivity, road infrastructure, accommodation options, internet connectivity, security, professional event services and the overall experience available to delegates.
Speke Resort Munyonyo’s combination of extensive conference facilities, accommodation and experience in hosting major international gatherings gives it an important advantage as Uganda seeks to compete for a larger share of the international meetings market.
The award also demonstrates the contribution of private-sector investment to the development of Uganda’s tourism infrastructure. Building and maintaining a large convention resort requires significant capital, professional expertise and sustained investment to meet international standards.
As competition for MICE tourism continues to grow across Africa, Uganda’s private hospitality investments will need to be supported by improvements in roads, public transport, digital connectivity, utilities and other infrastructure that influence the experience of international visitors.
For Speke Resort Munyonyo, being named the World’s Best Luxury Convention Resort at the 2026 LUXE Global Awards adds another major international recognition to its growing profile.
For Uganda, the achievement provides an additional platform to promote the country as a destination capable of hosting major global conferences while offering delegates high-end accommodation, professional event facilities and access to the country’s broader tourism attractions.
