The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the end of 2007 has led to the construction of new and expansion of hotels as more preparations go on.

Uganda boasts of a few hotels of international standards like the newly under-construction Serena Nile Hotel, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Sheraton Kampala, Hotel Equatoria, Grand Imperial, Hotel Africana, Imperial Resort Beach and Imperial Botanical Beach hotels, which provide about 1,000 hotel rooms.

There is therefore the need for at least three new hotels, or expansion of the already existing ones to provide 6,000 hotel rooms to accommodate thousands of visitors who will include at least two thousand international journalists.

Government has also joined the preparations, by paying duties and taxes on construction materials and hotel utensils like Linen and curtains, Kitchenware, air conditioning systems, washing machines, cookers, fridges and freezers, cutlery, TV sets, carpets, and furniture, which have to be engraved, printed or marked with a logo of the hotel on behalf of the hotels.

A few Hotels under construction in the heart of the city like the Golf course and work on Bujagali in Jinja is due to start.

Mr. Julius Bagonza, the Chairman of Uganda Hotel and Catering Association (UHCA) urged all hoteliers to embark on refreshment training of their staff, to ensure that they provide quality services to local and international customers especially the delegates who are going to attend the Common Wealth summit.

By Kisibo Jackie
Uganda Hotel News