Kampala — Final preparations are underway at Speke Resort Munyonyo as Uganda gears up to host the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2026), one of the country’s flagship tourism and travel trade events.
The three-day expo, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board, will run from May 21 to 23 and is expected to attract exhibitors, hosted buyers, investors, tourism professionals, hospitality operators, and international delegates from across the globe.
Held on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, the event has evolved into Uganda’s premier tourism marketing and networking platform, combining destination branding, investment promotion, cultural exchange, and business engagement under one roof.
This year’s edition carries special significance as POATE marks its 10th anniversary under the theme “Wanderlust – It’s Your Time to Thrive.” Organisers say the theme reflects Uganda’s ambition to strengthen its position as a competitive tourism destination while driving recovery, innovation, and sustainable growth within the sector.
The expo will showcase Uganda’s diverse tourism potential, ranging from wildlife safaris and adventure tourism to cultural heritage, hospitality, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
Inside the exhibition halls, tourism operators, conservation agencies, airlines, hotels, travel companies, and regional tourism boards are expected to present products and experiences aimed at attracting both regional and international visitors.
Key industry discussions will focus on aviation connectivity, sustainable tourism practices, digital transformation in travel marketing, film tourism, and strategies to expand Uganda’s reach into emerging global tourism markets.
The event will also facilitate business-to-business and business-to-consumer engagements designed to create partnerships, attract investment, and strengthen Uganda’s tourism value chain.
Among the major highlights of POATE 2026 will be the inaugural Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards, which will recognise outstanding performers and innovators within Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry.
International hosted buyers have already participated in familiarisation tours to some of Uganda’s leading tourism destinations, including Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, where they experienced the country’s wildlife, landscapes, and hospitality offering firsthand.
The expo will further feature cultural showcases, culinary experiences, live entertainment performances, and networking sessions intended to connect local tourism stakeholders with global travel trade partners.
Organisers have also confirmed free public access on May 22 and 23, with transport arrangements expected to facilitate broader participation by Ugandans interested in tourism and travel opportunities.
Since its relaunch in November 2025 by Tourism Minister Tom Butime, POATE has increasingly positioned itself as a strategic platform for tourism diplomacy, investment mobilisation, and sector innovation.
Juliana Kagwa and the UTB team have been overseeing final preparations, with participation already confirmed from key stakeholders including Uganda Airlines, hotel chains, tour operators, conservation agencies, and regional tourism boards.
With anticipation continuing to build ahead of the official opening, tourism stakeholders remain optimistic that POATE 2026 will not only showcase Uganda’s unique attractions but also unlock new investment opportunities and partnerships capable of driving long-term growth within the sector.
Industry observers say the expo comes at a critical time when Uganda is seeking to strengthen tourism’s contribution to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and national economic transformation while reinforcing its global identity as the “Pearl of Africa.”