The Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has urged stakeholders in the tourism industry to preach the gospel of domestic tourism because there is a lot to see and learn in Uganda.

The respected Katikkiro was speaking as the guest of honor at the Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards at Hotel Africana. He applauded people investing in the tourism sector for creating jobs.

At the awards, Speke Resort & Conference Centre Munyonyo emerged as the Best Service/Luxury Standard Hotel in Uganda category fending off competition from Sheraton Hotel, Serena Hotel and Imperial Royale Hotel.

Speaking upon receiving the award, Greg Petzer, the General Manager of Speke Resort Munyonyo, said it was a great honor to be recognized as hotel with the best services and standards in the whole country.

He said they will continue reviewing standards to meet the market needs and make Uganda the best tourism destination. “We are extremely proud for the recognition,” he acknowledged.

“As a team, we work very hard to meet the expectations of our quests. By winning this award it means we are doing something right but we are not going to seat on our laurels; instead we are going to work extra hard and continue being the best.” Petzer said in an interview.

Speke Resort Munyonyo is a 5 star hotel located 12 km from Uganda’s capital Kampala. The hotel offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation, leisure facilities, the finest conference and business meeting location in East Africa.

The Resort has 59 Presidential suites with a unique blend of traditional Ugandan décor, furnishings, cottages, apartments and studio rooms. The hotel has a total of 335 rooms.

Speke Resort Munyonyo was built in 2001 and accommodated the visiting Presidents and Prime Ministers at the 2007 Commonwealth Conference (CHOGM).

The judges’ choice was based on a number of factors but most notably the nominee’s contribution to promoting Uganda as a top tourist destination, promote domestic tourism and professionalism.

General Elly Tumwine, who was the lead judge, said tourism in Uganda is still virgin and a gold mine for the country. He thanked the private sector for investing in the sector. Ruparelia Group, which also owns Speke Resort, won the award for best tourism investors.

The list of winners

BEST TOURISM BLOG/MAGAZINE

• PEARL GUIDE

BEST SUPPORTING TOURISM PHOTOGRAPHER

• NATTY DREAD KING

BEST TRAVEL T.V SHOW

• UGANDA EKKULA. (BUKKEDE T.V)

BEST TRADITIONAL DANCE TROUPE

• NDEERE TROUPE

BEST TOURISM PROMOTIONAL SONG

• BWOJO-NICHOE KITONE.

BEST TRADITIONAL CUISINE RESTAURANT

• BAGUMA RESTAURANT.

BEST CULTURAL CENTER

• UGANDA NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE

BEST TOURISM TRAINING CENTER

• UGANDA HOTEL & TOURISM TRAINING INSTITUTE. (JINJA)

BEST TOURISM YOUTH INITIATIVE

• WILDLIFE CLUBS OF UGANDA

PRIVATE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER

• KAVUMBA RECREATION CENTER – WAKISO.

BEST TOURISM INITIATIVE

• MISS TOURISM PAGEANT.

BEST ECO-RESORT

• BUDONGO ECO-LODGE

MOST ACTIVE TOURISM CLUSTER

• BUSOGA TOURISM INITIATIVE.

BEST INSTITUTIONAL MUSEUM AND ANTIQUE CENTER

• KIKONYOGO MONEY MUSEUM.

BEST COMMUNITY MUSEUMS/ANTIQUE CENTER

• IGONGO MUSEUM.

BEST SUPPORTING TELEVISION

• UBC

BEST SUPPORTING COPORATE COMPANY

• MADHVANI/ MARASA AFRICA

BEST SUPPORTING AIRLINES (BUSINESS CLASS)

• BRUSSELS AIRLINES

BEST SUPPORTING AIRLINES (ECONOMY CLASS)

• ETHIOPIAN AIRWAYS.

BEST TOURISM ROLE MODEL

• AMOS WEKESA

MOST USER FRIENDLY TOURISM ASSOCIATION

• U.H.O.A

TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR

• POPE’S VISIT.

BEST SUPPORTING HOTEL

• SERENA HOTEL

BEST SERVICE/LUXURY STANDARD HOTEL

• SPEKE RESORT /COMMON WEALTH MUNYONYO

BEST TOURISM INVESTOR

• RUPALERIA GROUP.

OUTSTANDING TOURISM ARCHIEVER?  

• AMOS WEKESA