Photo courtesy: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe
As Uganda’s tourism industry continues to grow, the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) is playing a pivotal role in guiding the hospitality sector towards sustainable practices. In an exclusive interview, Jean Byamugisha, the Executive Director of UHOA, shed light on the key initiatives being undertaken by member hotels to reduce their environmental impact and promote eco-friendly experiences for guests.
“Sustainability is a fairly new concept in the tourism industry in Uganda, but as UHOA, we have been proactive in driving this agenda forward,” Byamugisha said. Through policy advocacy, training programs, and the facilitation of best practice sharing, we are encouraging our member hotels to adopt a range of sustainable measures.
One of the primary focuses has been on reducing the environmental footprint of hotels. This includes the importation of energy-efficient appliances, the installation of solar panels, and the design of buildings to maximize natural light and ventilation. Additionally, many hotels have embraced rainwater harvesting, the reduction of single-use plastics, and the procurement of local and organic products to support the local economy.
Byamugisha emphasized the importance of engaging guests in the sustainability efforts. We have encouraged our member hotels to provide in-room information, pre-arrival emails, and prominent website content to educate guests on the hotels’ green programs and how they can participate. Initiatives such as towel and linen reuse programs, energy-saving reminders, and social media campaigns have also been well-received.
The association has also spotlighted innovative sustainable practices implemented by some of its member hotels. These include the use of solar power at Mweya Safari Lodge, the water-efficient measures at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, and the local sourcing initiatives at Wild Waters Lodge. Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe uses LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances, Mestil Hotel & Residences has a robust waste recycling program, and Rwenzori International Hotel engages guests in tree planting activities. Etc.
Photo courtesy: Mestil Hotel & Residences
One of the biggest challenges hotels face is the high initial costs associated with sustainable technologies and practices. Investing in energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy systems, and waste management infrastructure can require significant upfront investment, which can be a barrier for smaller hotels.
However, UHOA has worked with the government to secure incentives such as tax exemptions on hotel operational materials, helping to offset these initial costs. The association has also encouraged a phased implementation approach for smaller hotels to ensure they are not financially strained.
Another challenge is the lack of awareness and training among hotel staff on sustainability practices and to address this, hotels have been investing in regular in-house training programs and workshops to raise awareness and build the necessary skills.
Access to sustainable products and services has also been a challenge, particularly in more remote areas of the country. Finding reliable and consistent suppliers of sustainable products and services can be difficult. To overcome this, the association has worked to develop partnerships with suppliers, encouraging the development and availability of sustainable offerings.
Resistance to change is another hurdle hotels must navigate. Both staff and management may be hesitant to adopt new sustainable practices, perceiving them as additional work. It’s well known that change is extremely hard to implement. To foster a more positive attitude, many hotels have implemented incentive programs for staff who actively participate in sustainability initiatives.
The Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) is embarking on an ambitious journey to transform all hotels in Uganda into sustainable entities. The association plans to focus on comprehensive training programs to address misinformation and lack of information on sustainability, introduce certification courses in partnership with international agencies, promote zero-waste initiatives through recycling and composting, lobby for access to finance for solar energy projects, encourage regular energy audits, champion local sourcing to support local economies, strengthen community engagement, and promote eco-friendly guest amenities.
However, UHOA acknowledges that achieving these goals will require support from the government through policy updates, access to financing, and public-private partnerships, as well as collaboration with development partners who have experience in implementing successful sustainability practices.
