JINJA CITY, Uganda — A €250,000 (about Shs1.1 billion) grant from Enabel, the Belgian development agency under the European Union, is quietly but steadily transforming Uganda’s hospitality and tourism industry starting from the classroom and extending across the entire tourism value chain. At the centre of this transformation is the Jinja-based Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC), a decades-old institution now embracing digital innovation, modern training models, and international exposure for both students and staff.
Digital Shift and Skills Upgrade
According to Principal Richard Kawere, the Enabel grant has been pivotal in modernizing the institution’s operations.
“We are digitising our systems and processes, transforming what used to be manual into digital spaces,” Kawere said.
“Applications from students intending to join the college can now be done online, and we are also building staff capacity through exchange programmes in Kenya and Europe,” he added.
This digital shift is not just about convenience. It is about raising standards. By equipping staff with international exposure and improving training systems, the college is producing graduates who meet global hospitality expectations.
Kawere said the professionalization directly impacts Uganda’s tourism competitiveness.
“When tourists receive standard, high-quality service, it creates a positive image of the destination and automatically translates into repeat visits and growth in tourism numbers,” he noted.
Strengthening the Tourism Value Chain
The impact of the grant extends beyond the college itself. By improving the quality of training, the institution is strengthening the entire tourism ecosystem from hotels and tour operators to national parks and travel services.
With over 5,000 alumni already working across Uganda’s hospitality sector, the college plays a critical role in manpower development. Many hotels across the country employ its graduates, making it a key driver of service quality.
Project Coordinator and Quality Assurance Manager, Caroline Gwiina, highlighted the institution’s evolution since its founding in 1994.
“We were established when tourism in Uganda was still growing. Today, we train about 1,500 students using diverse models, including apprenticeships, short courses, and work-based learning,” she said.
These flexible training pathways ensure that both formal students and out-of-school youth can access skills relevant to the industry.
Bridging Skills to Employment:
Beyond technical training, Enabel is also addressing one of Uganda’s biggest employment challenges: the gap between education and employability.
Through its WeWork project, launched in 2023, Enabel supports youth transition from training to employment, with a strong focus on soft skills.
Diana Tumuhimbise, an employment promotion officer with the programme, said many employers cite lack of soft skills as a major barrier.
“Young people often have qualifications but lack communication, interpersonal skills, or interview readiness,” she said.
To tackle this, the programme has already trained over 2,000 youth in essential employability skills such as CV writing, interview preparation, and workplace communication. The target is 5,000 by 2027.
A job centre established in Jinja—run by the city council with technical support from Enabel—serves as a hub linking job seekers and employers. It provides internet access, application support, and training opportunities.
“This is a one-stop centre where youth can access employment services while employers can find skilled candidates,” Diana added.
Industry Integration Through Practical Training
A major component of the transformation is hands-on training, supported by the redevelopment of the historic Crested Crane Hotel, which serves as the college’s application hotel.
Pre-opening General Manager Samuel Kalule described the hotel as a “learning laboratory” designed to simulate real-world hospitality environments.
“This hotel will facilitate practical training in all aspects—front office, housekeeping, kitchen, and service,” he said. “
Students learn under supervision, ensuring they understand what guests truly expect,” Kalule added.
The facility includes demonstration kitchens and restaurants, enabling students to practice both food preparation and service delivery in a controlled setting.
“This ensures that when they graduate, they are not encountering these systems for the first time—they are already experienced,” Kalule explained.
Raising Standards, Attracting Tourists
The broader implication of these developments is a more competitive tourism sector for Uganda.
By combining digital transformation, practical training, and soft skills development, the Enabel-supported initiatives are producing a new generation of hospitality professionals capable of delivering world-class service.
This, stakeholders say, is critical for positioning Uganda as a top destination in a highly competitive global market.
“When service standards improve, the visitor experience improves and consequently the country’s image improves,” Kawere said.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the progress, challenges remain—particularly in awareness and accessibility. Many young people are still unaware of the available opportunities, while employers have yet to fully engage with new platforms like the job centre.
However, stakeholders remain optimistic.
“We are still in the early stages of sensitization and with more outreach and partnerships, we expect greater uptake from both youth and employers,” ,” Tumuhimbise noted.
A Model for Sector Transformation
As Uganda continues to prioritise tourism as a key economic driver, the Enabel grant demonstrates how targeted investments in education, technology, and employment systems can create ripple effects across an entire industry.
From digitised admissions to internationally certified instructors, from soft skills coaching to real-world hotel training, the initiative is not just upgrading a college—it is redefining the standards of Uganda’s hospitality sector.
In doing so, it is positioning the country to compete more effectively on the global tourism stage.
