Museveni promotes Uganda at POATE 2026

President Yoweri Museveni used the run-up to Uganda’s Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo to pitch the country’s tourism brand as officials opened the 10th edition of POATE in Kampala this week. Social posts on May 20 showed Museveni describing Uganda as “the original Africa,” a line used to frame the country’s wildlife, culture and landscapes ahead of the event. Uganda Tourism Board, the state agency behind the expo, says POATE 2026 runs from May 21 to May 23 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The event is designed as a trade platform for international buyers, investors, exhibitors and tourism officials, according to the board. ### When did POATE 2026 happen, and who is running it? Uganda Tourism Board says POATE 2026 is the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo and is scheduled for May 21-23, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The board describes the expo as an annual tourism and travel trade show that combines business-to-business and business-to-consumer programming. The Uganda Tourism Board says the expo is intended to connect global travel professionals and hosted buyers with Uganda’s tourism operators. Its event page says delegates are being offered networking, product showcases and seminars, alongside cultural and hospitality programming. ### What exactly did Museveni promote? Social posts on May 20 showed Museveni promoting Uganda as “the original Africa” in remarks tied to POATE 2026. (utb.go.ug) The phrasing matched a broader tourism pitch centered on Uganda’s wildlife, cultural heritage and visitor experiences, as reflected in official expo materials. Uganda Tourism Board’s launch statement says POATE is meant to showcase attractions ranging from adventure and wildlife to cultural heritage and meetings, incentives, conferences and events tourism. (utb.go.ug) That official framing aligns with the message carried in the online posts around Museveni’s appearance. ### What are organizers saying the expo is for? (x.com) The Uganda Tourism Board says POATE 2026 is meant to position Uganda as a destination for “sustainable, inclusive, and community-led tourism.” Its event page says the expo is built to create business deals and partnerships across the tourism value chain. A November 14, 2025 launch statement from the board said the event was expected to attract tourism professionals, international buyers, investors, media and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. (utb.go.ug) The same statement said the expo forms part of Uganda’s push to market tourism as a source of investment, jobs and broader economic activity. (utb.go.ug) ### Which officials have publicly framed the event? Tourism Minister Tom Butime said at the November launch that POATE would help market Uganda’s natural and cultural assets while reinforcing partnerships that support investment, job creation and sustainable development, according to the Uganda Tourism Board. UTB Chief Executive Juliana Kagwa said at the same event that Uganda was inviting the world to “reconnect” with the country as the sector regained momentum. (utb.go.ug) UTB Board Chairperson Pearl Kakooza said the expo would create space for government, business leaders and private-sector players to map out a shared path for the industry. Isa Kato, vice president of the Uganda Tourism Association, said private operators were ready to use the expo to re-engage global markets. ### Where does this leave the event now? (utb.go.ug) POATE 2026 is now scheduled to run through May 23 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, according to the Uganda Tourism Board’s event page. The board says the program includes buyer meetings, exhibitions and seminars aimed at international delegates and Ugandan tourism businesses. Speke Resort Munyonyo and Uganda Tourism Board materials list May 21-23 as the core dates for the expo, making those sessions the next checkpoint for officials, exhibitors and hosted buyers following Museveni’s promotion of the event. (utb.go.ug 1) (utb.go.ug 2)