As part of their official visit to Jinja, the ambassadors of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria, led by Jan Sadek, the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, visited the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) on October 22, 2024. The visit underscored UHTTI’s essential role in enhancing skills and knowledge within Uganda’s fastest-growing tourism sector.
Established under the UHTTI Act of 2015, UHTTI is a government-owned tertiary institution located in Jinja. Since its inception in 1984, it has been pivotal in training and research in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The institute offers diplomas, certificates, and short courses, with its diploma programmes fully accredited by Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education. Over the years, UHTTI has produced graduates with the technical expertise necessary to boost Uganda’s tourism industry.
During the visit, UHTTI Principal Kawere Richard highlighted the institution’s contribution to enhancing Uganda’s tourism value chain, particularly in developing industry-relevant skills and human resource capacity that align with the country’s goal of becoming a premier tourism destination in Africa. With aspirations to increase tourism earnings five-fold by 2030 and ten-fold by 2040, the demand for well-trained personnel is critical.
“The recent infrastructure upgrades, supported by the Government of Uganda and the World Bank through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP), have positioned UHTTI to significantly increase its enrollment and impact,” said Mr Kawere.
He emphasized UHTTI’s current focus on youth and women empowerment, aligning with Uganda’s broader vision for tourism growth. In his address to the EU delegation, Kawere invited Team Europe to explore partnership opportunities with UHTTI to support several key areas. These include the digitization of operations for improved efficiency and online learning, capacity building for staff, welfare facilities for students and staff, and increased international mobility to enhance exposure and learning experiences.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of integrating sustainability and environmental conservation into the institution’s training programs, community outreach initiatives, and the development of industry-responsive short courses and certifications.
The visit by the EU ambassadors also highlights the growing recognition of Uganda’s tourism potential on the international stage, signalling new opportunities for collaboration. The European Union remains a crucial partner in Uganda’s development, and fostering educational and capacity-building initiatives, like those at UHTTI, will be vital for the growth of the country’s tourism industry in a competitive global market.
This engagement paves the way for potential EU-Uganda partnerships that could enhance training facilities, promote international exchanges, and share knowledge on sustainable tourism practices. These initiatives align with the government’s goal of cultivating a competitive tourism workforce that can provide world-class visitor experiences and contribute significantly to Uganda’s economic growth.
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