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The rescheduling also places the summit ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | FHS Africa, a hospitality investment summit, has rescheduled its 2027 meeting in Kampala to coincide with Uganda’s Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, in a move designed to bring international investors closer to the country’s tourism industry.
The summit will now take place on April 28 and 29 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, having originally been scheduled for February 2 and 3. Organisers said the change would create opportunities for hotel developers, operators, investors and tourism officials to build partnerships and explore projects across East Africa.
The decision comes as Uganda seeks to attract more investment into tourism infrastructure and strengthen the sector’s contribution to economic growth. International tourist arrivals rose by 19.7% to 1.64 million in 2025, up from 1.37 million in 2024, while tourism earnings increased by 21.3% to Shs5.83 trillion ($1.62 billion), according to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities’ Tourism Statistical Abstract 2025. The ministry said the growth pushed arrivals above pre-pandemic levels and reinforced tourism’s position as a major source of foreign exchange.
The increase in visitors and spending strengthens the case for investment in hotels, transport and visitor facilities. Aligning FHS Africa with POATE is intended to connect the promotion of Uganda as a destination with the capital and expertise required to develop its hospitality industry.
Matthew Weihs, chief development officer at The Bench, which organises FHS Africa, said the move would help turn engagement between the tourism and investment communities into commercial opportunities.
“FHS Africa has always been about connecting capital, expertise and ambition to support the growth of hospitality across Africa,” he said, adding that the alignment would give delegates and partners more opportunities to explore markets and develop business relationships.
Juliana Kagwa, chief executive of the Uganda Tourism Board, said the joint platform would help showcase the country’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and investment potential to international audiences.
The rescheduling also places the summit ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania. The tournament is expected to raise the region’s international profile, providing an opportunity for tourism operators and hospitality businesses to position themselves for increased visitor interest.
The timing reflects a broader effort to link tourism promotion with investment in accommodation and related infrastructure. For Uganda, the challenge will be to convert international exposure and rising visitor numbers into sustained private investment, improved tourism services and new business activity.
FHS Africa will bring together hospitality investors, hotel owners, developers and industry leaders to discuss financing, partnerships and development prospects across the continent. Its alignment with the tourism expo is intended to strengthen Kampala’s role as a meeting point for the regional hospitality industry.
