Museveni Opens Renovated Mount Elgon Hotel as Uganda Marks World Tourism Day in Mbale

Mbale City, Uganda – September 27, 2026

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today officially commissioned the renovated Mount Elgon Hotel & Spa in Mbale City, a 1950s heritage landmark, as Uganda celebrated World Tourism Day with a strong focus on Eastern Uganda’s tourism potential.

The reopening formed a centrepiece of the national celebrations held at Mbale Secondary School Grounds under the global theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” The event marked the first time the national World Tourism Day commemorations have been hosted in the Elgon region, signalling a deliberate push to diversify Uganda’s tourism offering beyond traditional safari destinations.

In his remarks after opening the hotel, President Museveni noted that the restoration successfully preserved the building’s historic architectural heritage while introducing modern hospitality facilities. He described the hospitality industry as a key part of the services sector that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and drives economic growth.

“The restoration has preserved this historic landmark’s architectural heritage while introducing modern hospitality facilities,” Museveni stated. He emphasised that such investments are critical to positioning Uganda as a competitive tourism destination on the African continent and enhancing the visitor experience in the Elgon region.

Later, addressing the main World Tourism Day gathering, the President urged Ugandans to fully embrace the four sectors of wealth creation — commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT — and to take advantage of tourism opportunities. He highlighted Uganda’s unique natural assets, including the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and favourable climate, noting that global tourism is a major industry worth approximately USD 11.6 trillion.

Museveni stressed the need to protect the environment, declaring that those who destroy wetlands are “enemies of the future.” He called for the extension of last-mile infrastructure to areas such as Bududa and Manjiya to improve access and support economic activity, while expressing satisfaction that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Ministry of Tourism had “woken up from kugona (sleep).”

The President also visited the Mbale Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC Zoo), underscoring the importance of bringing wildlife education and conservation closer to communities, especially the youth, to promote domestic tourism and inspire careers in conservation and tourism.

A Historic Landmark Restored

Mount Elgon Hotel & Spa, located on Plot 30 Masaba Road in a leafy part of Mbale, dates back to the 1950s. The 2026 restoration renewed the structure and services while retaining its architectural character, mature gardens, arcades, and ambience. The property now offers 65 rooms (including three Executive Suites), an outdoor pool, Kwetu Spa, Masaaba Restaurant, two bars, and conference facilities. It serves as a strategic base for visitors exploring Mount Elgon National Park, Sipi Falls, Wanale Ridge, and the wider Eastern Uganda region.

Boosting Regional Tourism

Officials selected Mbale deliberately as the gateway to the Elgon tourism circuit. Attractions in the area include Mount Elgon National Park trekking, Sipi Falls, Sisiyi Falls, Wanale Hill, coffee tourism experiences, and the cultural heritage of the Bagisu (Bamasaaba) people, including traditional practices such as Imbalu.

The celebrations form part of a month-long Tourism Month campaign branded “Explore Uganda – Masaba Edition.” Activities have included free entry to selected national parks from 25–27 September for Ugandan citizens, hospitality training, cultural performances, exhibitions, sports events, and exploratory tours of the region.

Tourism authorities report that Uganda received approximately 740,000–794,000 international visitors in the first half of 2026 (a rise of about 3.7% year-on-year), with tourism receipts climbing 25.6% to roughly UGX 2.3 trillion and average length of stay increasing to 8.3 nights. The focus on Mbale and the Elgon region aims to convert more of this growth into broader regional economic benefits through jobs, local supply chains, and community participation.

By reopening a restored heritage hotel and hosting the national Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale, Uganda is signalling a stronger commitment to balanced regional development, heritage preservation, environmental protection, and the modernisation of its tourism sector through digital tools and artificial intelligence.