Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute Staff Trained to Elevate Hospitality Education Standards

The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) has strengthened its position as the country’s leading hospitality training institution through a targeted staff capacity-building program delivered in partnership with Kyambogo University.

The three-day training, held at UHTTI and supported by Enabel, aimed to equip staff with modern pedagogical and andragogical skills in line with Uganda’s evolving Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) framework. The initiative comes as the institute prepares to rebrand as the Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC) under the Ministry of Education and Sports, following the enactment of the TVET Act in March 2025.

Dr. Eric Kalanda from Kyambogo University’s Faculty of Education led the training, emphasizing the institute’s strategic role. “UHTTI is the custodian of hospitality training in Uganda, not UVTAB,” he said. He highlighted the importance of up-to-date teaching methods in delivering quality hospitality education.

Robert Ssewakka, a vocational education expert from Kyambogo University, guided participants on TVET pathways and trainer certification requirements. “Unregistered trainers do not qualify to train learners,” he warned, calling on staff to comply with the TVET Act by securing the necessary certifications.

Deputy Principal Moses Kaneene welcomed the partnership and emphasized its long-term value. “Ten of our staff are pursuing Masters and PhDs at Kyambogo, strengthening our capacity to deliver quality training,” he said. He noted that the partnership was already enhancing staff development and research.

The training is part of broader reforms as UHTTI transitions to a more professionalized and accredited institution ready to meet international standards. The planned name change to HTTC will be accompanied by a formal launch, signaling a new era for Uganda’s hospitality training sector.

With Uganda’s tourism sector positioned as a key contributor to economic growth, the government is banking on skilled professionals to improve service delivery and competitiveness. Through such initiatives, HTTC is preparing to become a regional hub for hospitality training in East Africa.