Enabel, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, and the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) have signed a €260,000 grant agreement to support skills development in the tourism and hospitality sector. The grant is provided under Enabel’s WeWork Project, co-funded by the Belgian Government and European Union (EU), to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in sectors with high job-creation potential.

The partnership aims to elevate UHTTI into a Centre of Excellence (COE) in tourism and hospitality training in the region. The support will focus on institutional capacity strengthening, including curriculum development, staff capacity building, digitalization, entrepreneurship, gender mainstreaming, and improved collaboration with the private sector to improve employment outcomes for Ugandan youth.

As part of the partnership, UHTTI will work with the leading Belgian Hotel School Ter Duinen to exchange expertise across pedagogy, management, and governance. This collaboration will enhance UHTTI’s capacity to provide high-quality training and equip young Ugandans with future-focused, relevant skills.

Tom Vanneste, Country Director of Enabel Uganda, said, “We feel very privileged as Enabel to support the Uganda Government’s multi-million investment in UHTTI to help it become a Hospitality Centre of Excellence for the country and region, and support the ambition to make Uganda the leading sustainable tourism destination in Africa and the tourism industry a driver of job creation for Ugandans.”

Ms. Sanne Willems, Team Leader, EU Delegation Uganda, said, “Team Europe is pleased to partner with Uganda on the development of the local sustainable tourism sector. Alongside Belgium, the EUR 50 million (UGX 207 billion) WeWork programme supports the creation of green and decent jobs for the Ugandan youth, as well as youth-led enterprise development in the tourism sector.”

Mr. Richard Kawere, Principal of UHTTI, noted, “The grant is a testament to Enabel’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development and strengthening our tourism sector. It is more than just a financial injection; it represents a vote of confidence in our institute’s potential to shape the future of Uganda’s tourism industry.”

This partnership strengthens UHTTI’s role as a premier tourism training institution and serves as a national example of how collaboration between government and development partners can deliver long-term impact for inclusive and sustainable growth. By equipping young Ugandans with future-focused, relevant skills and embedding sustainability in tourism training, this initiative lays the groundwork for a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive tourism and hospitality sector in Uganda.