Jinja Tourism Institute Inks Shs1.1bn Grant Deal With Belgian Agency to Support Skills Training

In a strategic move to foster green and decent employment opportunities for Ugandan youth, Enabel, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, and the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) have signed a €260,000 ( approximately shs1.1 billion) 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.

Coming at the heels of the successful Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2025) and the second Annual Sustainable Tourism Awards, this grant signals a renewed commitment to tourism as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, aligned with Uganda's national development priorities.

Through this partnership, Enabel joins the Government of Uganda to support the ongoing efforts 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 around the curriculum development, staff capacity building, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, gender mainstreaming, and improved collaboration with the private sector to improve employment outcomes for Ugandan youth.

As part of the partnership, UHHTI will work with the leading Belgian Hotel School Ter Duinen to exchange expertise across pedagogy, management, and governance.

"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," said Tom Vanneste, Country Director of Enabel Uganda

Ms. Sanne Willems, Team Leader, EU Delegation Uganda said they are pleased to partner with Uganda on the development of the local sustainable tourism sector.

"Alongside Belgium, the EUR 50 million (shs207 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. We therefore see the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and UHTTI as natural partners for us. The EU looks forward to continuing to strengthen even further its support in this sector moving forward, by building on Uganda's profile as a sustainable tourism destination, and supporting the business environment and access to finance along the value chain," Willems said.

The Principal of UHTTI, Richard Kawere, Principal of UHTTI described the grant as a testament to Enabel's commitment to supporting Uganda's development and strengthening the country's 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 not only strengthens UHTTI's role as a premier tourism training institution but also 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.