Enabel partnered with the Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC) in Jinja to organise the second hospitality skills challenge, bringing together about 50 young competitors from tourism and hospitality training institutions across Uganda. The three-day competition, held from 9th to 11th September 2026, was officially opened by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Susan Nakawuki Nsaambu.  

Held under the theme “Fusion of Culture,” the challenge featured competitions in cookery, pastry, and bakery, restaurant service, rooms division, and barista & mixology. More than 10 institutions took part, alongside young people enrolled in hospitality apprenticeships through Enabel’s social protection project in partnership with the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA). Their participation provided an opportunity to put the skills gained through their apprenticeship placements to the test in a national competition.  

Opening the challenge, Hon. Nsaambu described it as more than a competition, saying it was “a platform where knowledge meets creativity, where the classroom meets industry, and where young people show that the industry’s future is in the right hands.”  

She also highlighted the importance of skilled human capital to Uganda’s tourism ambitions, noting that attractions alone are not enough to deliver a quality visitor experience. The sector also requires competent chefs, hotel managers, receptionists, tour guides, event planners and hospitality entrepreneurs.  

The competition brought together judges from the hospitality industry, including professionals from Sheraton, Marriott, Fairway and Serena Hotel Kampala. Competitors were assessed on their technical skills, presentation, professionalism, organisation and ability to work to industry standards.  

The event also featured masterclasses led by international chefs from the African Gastronomy Association. Ten chefs from across Africa shared their expertise with students, lecturers and hospitality professionals, providing exposure to different approaches to African cuisine and contemporary hospitality practice.  

For HTTC, the competition also demonstrated the progress made in strengthening practical training. Principal Richard Kawere highlighted the transformation of the college’s training facilities since the first edition of the challenge.  

“Just recently we were in makeshift kitchens, but today we are in modern kitchens,” Kawere said, pointing to the college’s move towards more industry-standard training environments.  

Kawere also emphasised the importance of connecting classroom learning to workplace requirements. HTTC’s approach includes work-based learning, where students spend time in industry as part of their training, giving them an opportunity to apply their skills in real working environments.  

The challenge concluded on 11 September with the announcement of winners in the five competition categories. Tracy Zalwango from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities won restaurant service; Bridget Mpanja from Culinary School Uganda won cookery; Collins Kakooza from Kyambogo University won pastry and bakery; Shillah Buluma from HTTC won rooms division; and Raymond Jonathan from Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) won Barista. The winners received trophies, gifts and recognition for their performance.  

Enabel’s partnership with HTTC to organise the challenge was delivered through WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project. It forms part of broader efforts to strengthen practical, industry-relevant skills and create stronger pathways from training into employment.  

The second edition builds on the first challenge held at HTTC in 2025 and further strengthens the link between skills development and Uganda’s growing hospitality and tourism sector.

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