Speke Resort Wins Global Recognition, Boosts Uganda’s Conference Tourism Profile

By Frank Kamuntu

Uganda’s ambitions to become a leading destination for international conferences and high-value business tourism have received a major boost, with Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo securing the title of Uganda’s Leading Conference Hotel 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

The recognition places the Munyonyo-based facility at the centre of Uganda’s growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector, highlighting the country’s increasing capacity to host major regional and international events.

The award was announced alongside a promotional image showcasing the resort’s expansive modern conference facility, reflecting the scale of infrastructure now available to organisers seeking venues capable of accommodating large, high-profile gatherings.

For Uganda, the recognition comes at a time when the country is increasingly looking beyond traditional leisure tourism to attract business travellers, international conferences, corporate meetings and major diplomatic and institutional events.

Speke Resort Convention Centre has emerged as one of the facilities driving that shift, offering a combination of large-scale conferencing infrastructure, luxury accommodation and a strategic location that gives international delegates access to Kampala while providing a resort environment.

The latest award also adds to a growing list of international accolades for the property. Earlier in 2026, Speke Resort was named World’s Best Luxury Convention Resort at the Luxe Global Awards, further strengthening its reputation beyond Uganda’s borders.

The successive recognitions underscore the resort’s growing prominence in East Africa’s competitive MICE tourism market, where destinations are investing heavily in modern convention facilities to attract events capable of generating significant spending across hotels, transport, restaurants, entertainment and other tourism services.

Industry observers say the growing profile of facilities such as Speke Resort could help Uganda capture a larger share of the lucrative international conference market, particularly as countries across the region compete to host major summits, exhibitions and corporate events.

Beyond the prestige associated with global awards, the continued development of Uganda’s conference infrastructure has wider implications for the tourism industry. International delegates attending conferences often extend their stays, visit attractions and spend across multiple sectors of the economy, creating opportunities for hotels, tour operators, airlines, restaurants and local businesses.

Speke Resort’s latest recognition therefore comes as more than a hospitality industry accolade. It signals the increasing role of private-sector investment in building Uganda’s capacity to compete for global business events.

With its continued investment in conference infrastructure and its growing international recognition, Speke Resort Convention Centre is positioning Munyonyo as an important hub for high-end business and conference tourism while contributing to Uganda’s broader ambition of becoming a competitive destination for international gatherings.

As the global MICE industry continues to expand, Uganda’s ability to provide world-class venues, accommodation and supporting tourism services will be critical in determining how much of this high-value market the country can attract.

The World Travel Awards recognition gives Speke Resort another international platform from which to make that case.