Kampala, Uganda— Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry could be on the brink of a major transformation following the rollout of nine open-source training modules by Ukarimu, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to bridge the skills gap in the sector.
Launched at a stakeholder event in Kampala, the curriculum is being celebrated as a game-changer—offering young Ugandans, especially women and those from rural areas, a clear pathway into meaningful employment within one of the country’s most promising industries.
The modules, which are free and accessible to all, cover practical areas such as customer service, housekeeping, front desk operations, and environmental sustainability. Their design is deeply rooted in feedback from tourism operators who have long expressed frustration with the lack of industry-ready graduates.
At the launch, Richard Kawere, Principal of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, praised the initiative as a timely intervention in workforce development.
He described the curriculum as a vital tool for raising standards and preparing learners for the realities of the tourism workplace.
His sentiments were echoed by other industry leaders who noted the growing need for skilled labour in the sector—especially as Uganda positions itself as a regional tourism hub.
Unlike traditional academic programmes, the Ukarimu curriculum was created collaboratively by tourism educators and practitioners across Africa. It has been supported by international development partners including the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German GIZ E4D programme, alongside Ugandan innovators EyeOpenerWorks and Mango Tree.
Their goal was simple: to create practical, accessible, and locally relevant learning tools that can be used by training institutions, employers, and community tourism projects alike.
The approach has already shown results. Stakeholders at the launch shared stories of young professionals who, after being trained using Ukarimu’s pilot content, secured jobs faster and performed better once hired.
Gloria Tumwesigye, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Association, stressed the importance of hands-on training in tourism.
“This is a sector that thrives on how you treat people and how you solve problems on the spot. Ukarimu is finally training people in what matters,” she said.
The open-source nature of the modules means any institution or individual can use them freely—removing financial and logistical barriers that have long hindered access to quality vocational training in the sector. And for many communities far from formal tourism schools, this accessibility could be transformative.
Contributors to the curriculum, including Charlotte Beauvoisin and April Brown, underscored the importance of inclusive development in tourism.
They believe that equipping young people with the right skills can lead to stronger local economies, greater gender equity, and more sustainable tourism practices across the country.
As Uganda continues to promote itself globally through wildlife tourism, cultural heritage, and adventure travel, Ukarimu’s supporters hope the programme will become a model for other African nations seeking to invest in their human capital. Yet, there are calls for further integration into government training frameworks and continued investment to ensure that the modules evolve with changing industry demands.
For now, though, the launch marks a hopeful chapter for Uganda’s tourism sector—one in which opportunity, skills, and innovation come together to support a generation eager to serve, grow, and thrive in a booming industry.
