Meetings Africa 2026: Uganda is “Present, Engaged, and Ready to Compete” – Tukeikiriza Mellon

Uganda is making its presence felt on the continental stage this week at the 20th edition of Meetings Africa, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in South Africa. Led by the Uganda Convention Bureau (UCB)—a specialized unit of the Uganda Tourism Board—a unified delegation of private and public sector stakeholders is currently positioning “Destination Uganda” as Africa’s premier hub for business events.

Meetings Africa remains the continent’s leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) trade show. It serves as a vital marketplace where international buyers and decision-makers connect with African destinations to shape the future of business travel.

A Strategic National Approach

Tukeikiriza Mellon, Senior MICE Officer at the Uganda Tourism Board, highlights that this year’s participation is a deliberate, coordinated effort to secure a larger share of the global business events market. The delegation includes a “Team Uganda” spirit, featuring high-end lodges, large-capacity hotels, and professional conference organizers all working under one banner.

In her insights on the importance of this mission, Mellon noted:

“This unified representation reflects a coordinated national approach to growing Uganda’s share of the business events market. It demonstrates deliberate effort to strengthen visibility, deepen regional collaboration, and secure high-value conferences and incentive programmes that generate measurable economic impact.”

From Engagement to Economic Impact

The week’s program kicked off on February 23rd with BOND Day, a specialized platform for strategic engagement and training among MICE stakeholders. From February 24th to 26th, the three-day exhibition is facilitating direct connections between Ugandan suppliers and a global network of meeting planners, incentive houses, and corporate executives.

This mission is a core component of Uganda’s National MICE Strategy, focusing on three key objectives:

• Visibility: Showcasing Uganda’s world-class venues, such as the Speke Resort Munyonyo Convention Centre.
• Regional Collaboration: Strengthening ties within the African business circuit.
• Economic Growth: Attracting events that provide a “springboard for socio-economic transformation.”

As the African business landscape continues to evolve, the message from the Ugandan delegation is clear. In the words of Mellon: “Uganda is present, engaged, and ready to compete.”