The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja on October 23, 2024 visited Makerere University Business School on a drive to promote the Leisure, Events and Hotel Management profession. She called upon the students to pursue competence based degrees, emphasizing that such courses offer practical skills essential for reducing unemployment and contributing to economic growth. Hon. Nabbanja, an alumnus of Makerere University Business School, made the remarks on her visit to the Institution, where she addressed students in the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Languages.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Tourism Hon. Mugarra Bahinduka and the Minister for the Youth and Children Affairs Dr. Balam Barugahara Ateenyi.
Hon. Nabbanja said, ” Competence-based programmes create a flexible learning environment, they focus on mastering specific skills and knowledge, allowing experienced adult learners to accelerate through familiar materials.” She encouraged students to prioritize eco-tourism and community- based tourism, areas she emphasized as essential for both environmental conservation and economic empowerment. “Engaging local communities in tourism efforts not only protects our environment but also creates economic opportunities,” she explained, affirming that the tourism sector has become central to Uganda’s economic plans.
“Tourism remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy and continues to be on a positive trend. In the year 2023, tourism alone contributed 5.5% of Uganda’s GDP, supporting 5.7% of Uganda’s total employment. The foreign earnings from tourism increased by 48% from 2.6 trillion in 2022 to 3.8 trillion, contributing 11% of the total exports and 50% of the service exports. She said government is counting on the next generation to improve tourism skills, crucial for achieving its target to grow the economy tenfold to $500 billion by 2040. To support these goals, therefore, Uganda’s Tourism Development Program aims to boost foreign exchange earnings from tourism to $50 billion in the same period.
The colorful event was organized by the Department of Leisure, Events and Hospitality in the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Languages (FTHL) at Makerere University Business School, under the, theme “Reflecting on the Role of Competence-Based Degree Programs in Economic and Social Transformation,” the event brought together students, Faculty, and Government officials, highlighting the government’s push for practical education aligned with Uganda’s economic vision.
The Head Department of Leisure and Hospitality Management Assoc. Prof. Samson Otengei who spearheaded the preparation said the department seeks to be a benchmark for academic and professional excellence in the field of Leisure, Events and Hospitality business Management in the Region.
Hon. Mugarra Martin Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques underscored the sector’s employment potential, saying, “The government will continue supporting tourism and hospitality to benefit the country.” He commended MUBS leadership for their dynamism. “We have been doing domestic tourism campaigns in different parts of the country, and MUBS students have always participated. He assured the public that leisure/tourism industry is the big thing in Uganda today. It directly employs close to 700,000 Ugandans, but indirectly, about 1.6 million Ugandans benefit from it”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi underscored the importance of competence-based courses focusing on building specific knowledge and attitudes required for a particular profession or industry. These courses enhance employability, improve productivity, and promote entrepreneur development. They have an advantage over other courses and, therefore, should never be undermined because they have produced many billionaires across the world. “Many billionaires globally have built wealth from hotels and hospitality,” Hon. Barugahara remarked, encouraging students to view their degrees as steps toward starting their own businesses.
MUBS Principal, Prof. Moses Muhwezi assured the public that MUBS will enable the Government of Uganda to make better policies. “We have a lot of research in business, management, accounting, Parish Development Model and the National Development Plan. We are making policy briefs that we shall bring to you as leaders in government business to enable Parliament of Uganda to make decisions based on these facts.
Assoc. Prof. Atcero Milburga Dean Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Languages commended Prof. Muhwezi for the achievements and transformations he has made in the school in the space of one year. She said MUBS is committed to nurturing the graduates and equipping them with knowledge and skills to tackle the challenges of the dynamic industry. “Over the years, we have solidified our reputation as a leading training group for skilled professionals. Many of our alumni have been successful entrepreneurs and have positively impacted our economy.”
Uganda’s Comedian Mr. Andrew Mukasa, aka Bajjo, a first year student offering Bachelors of Leisure, Events, and Hotel Management said, “Joining MUBS was my lifelong dream because it is the best business school in the region. “I have been here for just one month, but my life has changed. I have learned to be humble and civil. I can now prepare a balance sheet and make bank reconciliations. I have also learned ICT, principles of management, and communication skills. These have improved my understanding of the leisure and events management industry.