KAMPALA — The Uganda Tourism Board, together with the European Union and development partners have unveiled the inaugural Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards 2026, a new initiative aimed at recognising excellence, innovation and sustainability in Uganda’s tourism sector.
The awards, which will officially launch during the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2026, are expected to honour outstanding performers across tourism, conservation, storytelling, media, photography, and community tourism initiatives.
According to the organisers, the initiative is being implemented in partnership with Enabel, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, and UNESCO.
Officials said the awards are intended to address the lack of formal recognition for tourism players who continue to promote Uganda as a leading destination through quality services, creativity and sustainable practices.
“The Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards present an opportunity to celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and elevate Uganda’s tourism sector to new heights,” organisers noted in the concept brief.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen Uganda’s branding as the “Pearl of Africa” while increasing the international visibility of the country’s tourism products and experiences.
Among the proposed categories are Best Tourism Documentary 2026, Best Tourism Storyteller, Best Tourism Influencer, Best Eco-Lodge, Best Eco-Tour Operator and Best New Tourism Product.
Media practitioners and creatives will compete for several awards carrying cash prizes of Shs3 million each, including Best Tourism Documentary, Best Tourism Photography for both professional and amateur categories, Best Tourism Storyteller and Best Tourism Influencer.
The organisers said the awards will focus on achievements recorded between May 2025 and May 2026, with entries assessed based on innovation, impact, sustainability, creativity and audience engagement.
Tour operators, hotels, community tourism groups, photographers, journalists, conservationists, influencers and tourism service providers are all eligible to participate.
Applications and nominations are currently open, with organisers setting May 11 as the submission deadline.
The process, according to organisers, will involve an independent panel of judges drawn from the tourism sector, conservation bodies, media and government institutions to ensure transparency and credibility.
Winners will be announced during a gala dinner scheduled for May 23, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo as part of the climax of POATE 2026.
The awards ceremony will also form part of celebrations marking 50 years of cooperation between Uganda and the European Union, whose tourism support programmes are being implemented through several partner agencies.
Tourism stakeholders say the awards could improve service standards, encourage professionalism and strengthen collaboration across the industry while positioning POATE as one of Africa’s leading tourism and investment expos.
