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Uganda is constructing a one-of-a-kind conference and convention centre which upon completion will be the biggest modern conference centre of its kind in East Africa.
The Speke Resort Convention Centre, being developed as a joint venture between the Government of Uganda and the Ruparelia Group, according to a project profile, comprises a gross built-up area of 21,677 Sqm with a total capacity of 9,000 people.
The Ruparelia Group is Uganda’s largest hospitality Group with several hotels.
The centre consists of 3 floors, the main hall which is 4,600 square metres and can accommodate a total of 4,400 delegates in its various facilities, which include a 3,800 seater auditorium. It will also have 12 high-end conference/breakaway meeting rooms and a floating restaurant which can accommodate 900 guests, “with an extraordinary view of the great Lake Victoria”.
The centre is being developed on a 105-acre luxury resort complex that already has two luxury lake-side resorts⏤ Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.
Altogether, the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Speke Resort Munyonyo and the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort bring to Uganda’s hospitality sector 33 high-end breakouts/conference and meeting rooms; 5 ballrooms/ banquet halls; 3 indoor and 2 outdoor restaurants and bars, serving multiple cuisines; 2 VIP lounges and 8 outdoor function venues.
The resorts also have a combined 476 accommodation rooms, including 59 presidential suites.
“This latest addition to the Speke Resort is largely to feed Uganda’s growing demand for premium and user-friendly facilities for global conferences and commercial gatherings. The vibrant design is based on Uganda’s beautiful and natural environment, with natural stone finishes built to blend in with the lush green landscape. The convention centre will link together the existing conference facilities at the Speke Resort, bringing the total capacity from 10,400 people to approximately 19,000,” says Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the Ruparelia Group founder and chairman.
This isn addition to 36,910 square metres of outdoor venues that have a combined capacity to host another 36,910 people.
“This Iconic Centre is one of a kind and is one of the largest holding capacities in the entire region which will enhance the experience of convention centre facilities. Equipped with state of art high-tech executive facilities, the convention centre stands as a prestigious marvel to behold that will set the stage for global conferences, commercial gatherings and exhibitions. The centre presents itself as a master of international conventions in East Africa, with the aim of hosting international business events, and global MICE Events and creating a memorable residential experience in a safe and secure environment. With a dedication to excellence in service and delivery, the Speke Resort Convention Centre will be Uganda’s premier conferencing destination,” added Dr. Ruparelia.
The USD40 million resort is expected to be in time for the December 2023 week-long Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit that is being hosted by Uganda. Uganda is the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of Africa for the period from 2022 to 2025.
On completion, the Convention Centre will outstrip the Kigali Convention Centre which, with its 18 different venues with a capacity to host 5,000 delegates at a time has been the region’s favourite destination for large international meetings in the region.
The Conference Centre will be an important addition to Uganda’s hospitality sector as the country seeks to ramp up its hospitality infrastructure and diversify its largely wildlife-based tourism to include the blossoming MICE segment.
The MICE segment has been dominated by Nairobi, Kenya and most recently Kigali, with its signature Kigali Convention Centre.