Uganda is eyeing a tourism windfall of $5.2 billion in revenue by 2028, with a target of 3.5 million visitors a year over the next five years.

Paul Moores, managing director of FBW, which has its headquarters in the Ugandan capital Kampala, says that ambition is already driving global investment interest.

As a result, FBW, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is currently working on a number of major projects in the sector, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation, and is seeing investor appetite grow.

Moores was speaking in the run up to the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2025, which will take place between May 21-24 in Kampala.

The annual event, showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions and promoting the country as a prime destination for tourism, is set to attract international buyers and thousands of trade visitors.

Tourism is already one of the largest sectors in the country’s economy, directly contributing more than 3.6 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2023 and employing about one in every seven workers.

Recognising its future potential, the government in Kampala has launched a number of strategic initiatives, including developing high-quality accommodation.

And in another positive move, a new Uganda Airlines direct flight to the UK – the first in ten years – has been announced and is set to boost visitor numbers further.

Paul Moores said: “We’re already seeing strong growth in the region’s tourism sector, and we’re working on a number of projects on behalf of international investors, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation.

“There’s a lot of interest in the sector and its potential. It has been reported that private sector investments in tourism infrastructure have grown by 15 per in the past 12 months alone.

“The Uganda Hotel Owners Association has also reported that several international hotel brands are planning new properties in Kampala and near major national parks.

“A Dubai-based investment firm recently confirmed its $122.4m investment in the country, including building high-end hotels in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.

“And the EU and its member states are also set to invest in supporting sustainable and responsible tourism here.

“It all adds up to a positive picture for the visitor economy and we’re proud to be playing our part in that growth journey. We see great potential for investment in tourism projects moving forward.”

FBW has played its part in the development of the visitor economy in Uganda throughout its 30 years of operation in East Africa.

The first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in the country, delivered by FBW, opened its door to guests last year. The hotel in Kampala offers 142 guest rooms and suites, restaurants, bars and a ballroom as well as meeting rooms, swimming pool and fitness centre.

FBW, which has operations in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, delivered a full design and construction service on the project, covering project management, architecture, structural and civil engineering as well as MEP engineering.

The company also delivered Kampala’s first boutique hotel, The Emin Pasha, which is set in two acres of tropical gardens in the centre of the capital. FBW was the architect, project manager and engineer on the luxury 20-room hotel development, which remains a popular destination.

The group’s architects and engineers have also worked on a number of high-profile signature hotel and leisure projects across East Africa,

These include the multimillion refurbishment of the Hotel Umubano in the Rwandan capital Kigali, several bespoke boutique lodges in Rwanda and Kenya and the design of a major international branded hotel in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Stuart Harley, the group’s chief operating officer, said: “The hotel projects we have been involved in have all played their part in raising standards and delivering quality experiences for visitors.”

FBW is a major player in the region’s construction and development sector, working on high-profile infrastructure projects. It has offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.

The multi-disciplinary planning, design, architecture and engineering group currently has a workforce of more than 30 professionals delivering high value construction and development projects across Africa.

It works with private and institutional clients and over its 30 years of operation has built longstanding relationships a trusted ‘Partner of Choice’.

Its services include pre-design services, development consultancy, building appraisals and condition surveys, project management, architecture, civil and structural engineering, MEP engineering, telecommunication engineering, and other building consultancy services. For more information on FBW Group and its services please visit www.fbwgroup.com