The FBW Group, a major planning, design, architecture and engineering business in Africa, is forecasting strong growth in Uganda's visitor economy as more international investors are attracted to the country's tourism potential.
Uganda has been focusing on tourism arrests of $5.2 billion by 2028, aiming to reach 3.5 million visitors per year over the next five years.
Paul Moores, managing director of FBW, headquartered in the Uganda capital, Kampala, says ambitions are already driving global investment interest.
As a result, FBW, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is currently working on many major projects in the sector, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodations, raising investors' appetites.
Moores was speaking during the 2025 Africa Tourism Expo in Kampala, which will be held from May 21 to 24th.
The annual event, which presents Uganda's unique attractions and promotes the country as a major tourist destination, is set to attract international buyers and thousands of trade visitors.
Tourism is already one of the largest sectors in the country's economy, contributing directly over 3.6% to the country's GDP in 2023, employing about one in seven workers.
Recognizing the future potential, the Kampala government has launched many strategic initiatives, including the development of high-quality accommodations.
Another positive move is that the new Ugandan Airlines has been announced for the first time in a decade, a direct flight to the UK, with the goal of increasing the number of visitors.
Paul Moores said: “We are already experiencing significant growth in the tourism sector in the region, working on many projects on behalf of international investors, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation.
“There is a lot of interest in the sector and its possibilities, and its investment in the private sector in tourism infrastructure has reported an increase of 15 in the last 12 months alone.
“The Uganda Hotel Owners Association also reports that several international hotel brands are planning new properties near Kampala and major national parks.
“The Dubai-based investment company has recently confirmed its domestic investment of $122.4 million, including building high-end hotels in Bwindi's mysterious forests, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
“And the EU and its member states will invest in supporting sustainable and responsible tourism here.
“It's all a positive picture for the visitor economy. We are proud to play our part in that growth journey. We are pushing forward the great potential of investing in tourism projects.”
Through its 30 years of business in East Africa, FBW has played a role in the development of Uganda's visitor economy.
The first four points delivered by the domestic Sheraton Hotels opened the door to guests last year. The Kampala hotel features 142 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, ballroom, meeting rooms, swimming pool and fitness centre.
FBW, operating in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, provided complete design and construction services for the project, covering project management, architecture, structural and civil engineering and MEP engineering.
The company also delivered Eminpasha, Kampala's first boutique hotel, located in a two-acre tropical garden in the heart of the capital. FBW is an architect, project manager and engineer for a luxury 20-room hotel development and is a popular destination.
The group's architects and engineers have also worked on many well-known signature hotels and leisure projects in East Africa.
These include millions of renovations to Umbano, a hotel in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, several bespoke boutique lodges in Rwanda and Kenya, and designs for major international branded hotels in the Kenya capital, Nairobi.
“We've seen a lot of effort and we've seen you in the world,” said Stuart Harley, the group's chief operating officer.
FBW is a major player in the region's construction and development sector and is working on renowned infrastructure projects. We have offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
The interdisciplinary planning, design, architecture and engineering groups currently have a workforce of over 30 professionals providing high value construction and development projects across Africa.
It works with private and institutional clients, and 30 years of operation has made its long-standing relationship a trusted “partner of choice.”
The services include pre-design services, development consultants, building assessment and condition surveys, project management, architecture, civil engineering, MEP engineering, telecommunications engineering and other architecture consulting services. For more information about FBW Group and its services, please visit www.fbwgroup.com.
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