*By John Kusolo*
Today, Uganda's Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, made a significant visit to Makerere University Business School (MUBS) as part of a national initiative to promote the leisure, events, and hotel management profession. The visit was aimed at raising awareness about the potential of the leisure and hospitality industry in driving economic growth and creating employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. The Prime Minister's visit comes at a time when Uganda's tourism and hospitality sector is rebounding from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is poised to play a crucial role in the country’s development agenda.
During her visit, the Prime Minister highlighted the critical role of education and skills development in professionalizing the hospitality industry. She commended the Department of Leisure, Events, and Hospitality, which operates under the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Languages (FTHL) at MUBS, for its contributions to training and producing skilled graduates in the fields of events planning, leisure management, and hotel administration.
The Department of Leisure, Events, and Hospitality is one of the key departments within FTHL at Makerere University Business School, an affiliate of Makerere University. It was established with a vision to be the leading institution for academic and professional excellence in leisure, events, and hospitality business management across the East African region.
The department offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience required to excel in the leisure and hospitality industry. The course offerings include programs in leisure and recreation management, event planning, hospitality management, and tourism. Graduates from the department have gone on to play significant roles in Uganda’s burgeoning tourism sector, managing hotels, event spaces, and recreational facilities.
The department's focus on practical training and partnerships with the hospitality industry has made it a benchmark for quality education in the region. In recent years, it has collaborated with leading hotels, tourism boards, and event management companies to offer internships and job placements to its students, positioning them at the forefront of the leisure and events profession.
In her speech, Prime Minister Nabbanja emphasized the importance of professionalizing Uganda's leisure and hospitality industry, noting that it is a critical sector for boosting the country’s economic growth. She called on Ugandans to view leisure and hospitality not just as a source of entertainment but as a serious career path with potential for job creation, tourism growth, and investment.
"The hospitality industry in Uganda is growing rapidly, and we need to ensure that our graduates are not only well-educated but also equipped with the practical skills required to manage hotels, plan large events, and promote tourism," said Nabbanja. "I urge institutions like MUBS to continue innovating and providing hands-on training that will prepare our youth to compete regionally and internationally in this dynamic industry."
She also lauded the Department of Leisure, Events, and Hospitality for its efforts in creating an environment where students can thrive and meet industry demands, and urged the private sector to collaborate with academic institutions in nurturing talent and providing job opportunities.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Hon. Martin Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, and Hon. Balam Barugahara Ateenyi, the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs. Both ministers emphasized the role of tourism and hospitality in transforming Uganda’s economy.
Hon. Mugarra noted that Uganda’s tourism sector is recovering, and with the right skills and leadership, it can become a major driver of GDP growth. "The future of our tourism industry relies on the expertise we nurture today. This department plays a critical role in shaping the future leaders of the leisure and hospitality sector," he said.
Hon. Barugahara focused on the need to involve the youth in the development of the leisure and hospitality industry, highlighting that this sector offers vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment. He encouraged the youth to pursue careers in leisure management, events planning, and hotel administration to benefit from the expanding tourism and hospitality market.
The Department of Leisure, Events, and Hospitality at MUBS aims to be a regional leader in training professionals who will transform the leisure, events, and hospitality sectors. The department is working towards expanding its academic programs to include more specialized courses, such as event technology, sustainable tourism practices, and luxury hospitality management.
In addition, the department is strengthening its collaborations with industry leaders and international institutions to offer its students global perspectives and opportunities. Plans are also underway to develop a modern training facility that will provide students with state-of-the-art equipment and spaces to simulate real-world hospitality and event management environments.
Prime Minister Nabbanja’s visit to Makerere University Business School marks an important step in promoting the leisure, events, and hospitality profession in Uganda. By supporting institutions like MUBS, the government is taking deliberate steps to develop the human capital necessary to sustain and grow the tourism and hospitality sector. As the sector continues to recover and expand, initiatives like these will ensure that Uganda’s youth are well-prepared to take advantage of the opportunities in this fast-evolving industry.
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