POATE 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Uganda's Premier Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo
By Roam Beyond Tours | April 2026 | Kampala, Uganda | ☕ 8 min read
What is POATE?
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is Uganda's flagship annual tourism and travel trade show, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Now in its milestone 10th edition, POATE has grown into one of Africa's most important tourism marketplace events — bringing together international buyers, tour operators, airlines, hoteliers, investors, media, and conservation stakeholders under one roof at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Kampala's scenic Munyonyo on Lake Victoria.
The 2026 edition, launched officially by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, carries the theme "Wanderlust — It's Your Time to Thrive." The theme captures Uganda's renewed confidence in its tourism proposition and its determination to translate that optimism into genuine business growth, new visitor arrivals, and strengthened global partnerships.
Why POATE 2026 Matters
POATE is not merely a networking event — it is the engine room of Uganda's tourism economy. It is where international tour operators discover new Uganda products. Where airlines open new routes. Where conservation organisations forge partnerships with the private sector. Where the global press gets its first look at Uganda's most compelling new offerings. And where deals are struck that drive visitor arrivals — and economic impact — for years to come.
The expo format combines Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements across three intensive days, with structured one-on-one meetings between Ugandan tourism operators and international buyers, expert-led seminars and panel discussions, exhibition stalls showcasing the full spectrum of Ugandan tourism, cultural performances and hospitality showcases, and post-expo familiarisation (fam) trips across Uganda's national parks and cultural sites.
Who Attends POATE?
🌐 International Buyers & Tour Operators
Travel trade professionals from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East seeking new Uganda products and partnerships.
🇺🇬 Ugandan Tourism Operators
Safari companies, lodges, airlines, cultural tourism enterprises, and conservation organisations showcasing Uganda's full offering.
📰 International Media & Influencers
Travel journalists, filmmakers, and content creators producing stories that put Uganda on the global radar.
💼 Investors & Development Partners
Finance and development sector professionals exploring Uganda's tourism infrastructure investment landscape.
🏛️ Government & Policy Makers
Representatives from Uganda Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, conservation bodies, and regional tourism platforms.
🎯 MICE Specialists
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events professionals evaluating Uganda as a premier MICE destination.
What Happens at POATE 2026?
Three Days of Business, Culture & Connection
- B2B Meetings Platform: Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between international buyers and Ugandan exhibitors, facilitated through the official POATE matching system.
- Exhibition Halls: Showcasing Uganda's tourism sectors — wildlife, adventure, cultural heritage, MICE, luxury lodges, community tourism, and conservation.
- Expert Panels & Seminars: Industry-leading discussions on sustainable tourism, investment, digital marketing, community-led conservation, and Uganda's competitive positioning.
- Cultural Showcase: Traditional performances, Ugandan cuisine, crafts, and heritage storytelling — giving buyers an immersive taste of what awaits their clients.
- Investment Forum: Dedicated sessions connecting private investors with Uganda's most compelling tourism infrastructure opportunities.
- Gala Dinner & Awards: Celebrating Uganda's most innovative tourism achievements and recognising outstanding contributions to the sector.
- Post-Expo Fam Trips: Multi-day familiarisation trips to Uganda's national parks, giving international buyers firsthand experience of the product they will sell.
The Venue: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala
Speke Resort Munyonyo is one of East Africa's most prestigious conference and events venues — a world-class lakeside resort on Lake Victoria that has hosted the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit and the G77+China summit. Its convention centre provides the scale, technology, and hospitality infrastructure to host POATE at the level the event demands. Set just 12 km from Kampala's city centre, it combines professional conference facilities with spectacular lakeside setting.
📋 How to Register for POATE 2026
Registration for POATE 2026 is managed through the Uganda Tourism Board's official website at poate.co.ug and utb.go.ug/poate. International buyers interested in hosted buyer status should apply directly — successful applicants receive full hosted buyer privileges. Exhibition space enquiries should be directed to UTB directly. Roam Beyond Tours is a participating exhibitor — come find us at our stand.
Why Roam Beyond Tours at POATE?
Roam Beyond Tours is a proud participant in Uganda's premier tourism expo. POATE represents the ideal platform for us to connect with international travel trade partners, showcase our bespoke Uganda safari and cultural itineraries, and forge the partnerships that allow us to bring more of the world to Uganda's extraordinary landscapes and communities.
If you are attending POATE 2026 as a buyer, media representative, or tourism professional, we would love to meet you. Our team will be at the Roam Beyond Tours exhibition stand throughout all three days, available for B2B meetings, itinerary presentations, and partnership discussions.
Post-POATE: Extend Your Uganda Experience
POATE ends on 23 May 2026 — which places it perfectly at the transition point between Uganda's short rains and the beginning of the long dry season. Visitors attending the expo have a genuine opportunity to extend their stay into one of Uganda's finest wildlife travel windows, with June–August representing peak safari season for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, and Nile boat safaris.
Roam Beyond Tours designs bespoke post-POATE extensions for attending buyers, media, and professionals — from intimate two-day Kibale chimpanzee treks to comprehensive 10-day Uganda safaris covering Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley. These extensions serve a dual purpose: personal experience of Uganda's extraordinary offering, and powerful first-hand knowledge that informs the products our partners sell to their clients.
🏆 Meet Roam Beyond Tours at POATE 2026
Whether you are attending POATE as a buyer, media professional, or tourism stakeholder — or looking to extend your Uganda visit into a bespoke safari — Roam Beyond Tours is your expert partner. Schedule a meeting with our team at the expo, or contact us today to arrange a post-POATE Uganda safari extension.
Frequently Asked Questions — POATE 2026
When and where is POATE 2026?
POATE 2026 takes place from 21 to 23 May 2026 at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. It is the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board.
How do I register for POATE 2026?
Registration is available through the Uganda Tourism Board's official POATE website at poate.co.ug. Both exhibitor and hosted buyer applications are processed online. Roam Beyond Tours can advise on the registration process for international buyers and media — contact us for guidance.
Can I combine POATE with a Uganda safari?
Absolutely — and we strongly encourage it. Arriving in Uganda before 21 May or extending beyond 23 May gives POATE visitors the chance to experience the wildlife and cultural wealth they are there to sell. Roam Beyond Tours specialises in POATE safari extensions, including gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and game safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.
What is the theme of POATE 2026?
The theme of POATE 2026 is "Wanderlust — It's Your Time to Thrive." The theme reflects Uganda's optimism about the tourism sector's growth trajectory and its invitation to global partners to participate in shaping Uganda's tourism future.
Uganda Is Ready to Thrive — And So Are We
Connect with Roam Beyond Tours at POATE 2026 or plan your post-expo Uganda adventure. Email us today.
Contact Roam Beyond Tours →POATE 2026 Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo Uganda Tourism Board Uganda Tourism Expo 2026 East Africa Tourism Speke Resort Munyonyo Uganda Travel Trade Roam Beyond Tours Uganda
POATE 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Uganda's Premier Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo
By Roam Beyond Tours | April 2026 | Kampala, Uganda | ☕ 8 min read
What is POATE?
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is Uganda's flagship annual tourism and travel trade show, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Now in its milestone 10th edition, POATE has grown into one of Africa's most important tourism marketplace events — bringing together international buyers, tour operators, airlines, hoteliers, investors, media, and conservation stakeholders under one roof at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Kampala's scenic Munyonyo on Lake Victoria.
The 2026 edition, launched officially by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, carries the theme "Wanderlust — It's Your Time to Thrive." The theme captures Uganda's renewed confidence in its tourism proposition and its determination to translate that optimism into genuine business growth, new visitor arrivals, and strengthened global partnerships.
Why POATE 2026 Matters
POATE is not merely a networking event — it is the engine room of Uganda's tourism economy. It is where international tour operators discover new Uganda products. Where airlines open new routes. Where conservation organisations forge partnerships with the private sector. Where the global press gets its first look at Uganda's most compelling new offerings. And where deals are struck that drive visitor arrivals — and economic impact — for years to come.
The expo format combines Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements across three intensive days, with structured one-on-one meetings between Ugandan tourism operators and international buyers, expert-led seminars and panel discussions, exhibition stalls showcasing the full spectrum of Ugandan tourism, cultural performances and hospitality showcases, and post-expo familiarisation (fam) trips across Uganda's national parks and cultural sites.
Who Attends POATE?
🌐 International Buyers & Tour Operators
Travel trade professionals from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East seeking new Uganda products and partnerships.
🇺🇬 Ugandan Tourism Operators
Safari companies, lodges, airlines, cultural tourism enterprises, and conservation organisations showcasing Uganda's full offering.
📰 International Media & Influencers
Travel journalists, filmmakers, and content creators producing stories that put Uganda on the global radar.
💼 Investors & Development Partners
Finance and development sector professionals exploring Uganda's tourism infrastructure investment landscape.
🏛️ Government & Policy Makers
Representatives from Uganda Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, conservation bodies, and regional tourism platforms.
🎯 MICE Specialists
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events professionals evaluating Uganda as a premier MICE destination.
What Happens at POATE 2026?
Three Days of Business, Culture & Connection
- B2B Meetings Platform: Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between international buyers and Ugandan exhibitors, facilitated through the official POATE matching system.
- Exhibition Halls: Showcasing Uganda's tourism sectors — wildlife, adventure, cultural heritage, MICE, luxury lodges, community tourism, and conservation.
- Expert Panels & Seminars: Industry-leading discussions on sustainable tourism, investment, digital marketing, community-led conservation, and Uganda's competitive positioning.
- Cultural Showcase: Traditional performances, Ugandan cuisine, crafts, and heritage storytelling — giving buyers an immersive taste of what awaits their clients.
- Investment Forum: Dedicated sessions connecting private investors with Uganda's most compelling tourism infrastructure opportunities.
- Gala Dinner & Awards: Celebrating Uganda's most innovative tourism achievements and recognising outstanding contributions to the sector.
- Post-Expo Fam Trips: Multi-day familiarisation trips to Uganda's national parks, giving international buyers firsthand experience of the product they will sell.
The Venue: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala
Speke Resort Munyonyo is one of East Africa's most prestigious conference and events venues — a world-class lakeside resort on Lake Victoria that has hosted the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit and the G77+China summit. Its convention centre provides the scale, technology, and hospitality infrastructure to host POATE at the level the event demands. Set just 12 km from Kampala's city centre, it combines professional conference facilities with spectacular lakeside setting.
📋 How to Register for POATE 2026
Registration for POATE 2026 is managed through the Uganda Tourism Board's official website at poate.co.ug and utb.go.ug/poate. International buyers interested in hosted buyer status should apply directly — successful applicants receive full hosted buyer privileges. Exhibition space enquiries should be directed to UTB directly. Roam Beyond Tours is a participating exhibitor — come find us at our stand.
Why Roam Beyond Tours at POATE?
Roam Beyond Tours is a proud participant in Uganda's premier tourism expo. POATE represents the ideal platform for us to connect with international travel trade partners, showcase our bespoke Uganda safari and cultural itineraries, and forge the partnerships that allow us to bring more of the world to Uganda's extraordinary landscapes and communities.
If you are attending POATE 2026 as a buyer, media representative, or tourism professional, we would love to meet you. Our team will be at the Roam Beyond Tours exhibition stand throughout all three days, available for B2B meetings, itinerary presentations, and partnership discussions.
Post-POATE: Extend Your Uganda Experience
POATE ends on 23 May 2026 — which places it perfectly at the transition point between Uganda's short rains and the beginning of the long dry season. Visitors attending the expo have a genuine opportunity to extend their stay into one of Uganda's finest wildlife travel windows, with June–August representing peak safari season for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, and Nile boat safaris.
Roam Beyond Tours designs bespoke post-POATE extensions for attending buyers, media, and professionals — from intimate two-day Kibale chimpanzee treks to comprehensive 10-day Uganda safaris covering Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley. These extensions serve a dual purpose: personal experience of Uganda's extraordinary offering, and powerful first-hand knowledge that informs the products our partners sell to their clients.
🏆 Meet Roam Beyond Tours at POATE 2026
Whether you are attending POATE as a buyer, media professional, or tourism stakeholder — or looking to extend your Uganda visit into a bespoke safari — Roam Beyond Tours is your expert partner. Schedule a meeting with our team at the expo, or contact us today to arrange a post-POATE Uganda safari extension.
Frequently Asked Questions — POATE 2026
When and where is POATE 2026?
POATE 2026 takes place from 21 to 23 May 2026 at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. It is the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board.
How do I register for POATE 2026?
Registration is available through the Uganda Tourism Board's official POATE website at poate.co.ug. Both exhibitor and hosted buyer applications are processed online. Roam Beyond Tours can advise on the registration process for international buyers and media — contact us for guidance.
Can I combine POATE with a Uganda safari?
Absolutely — and we strongly encourage it. Arriving in Uganda before 21 May or extending beyond 23 May gives POATE visitors the chance to experience the wildlife and cultural wealth they are there to sell. Roam Beyond Tours specialises in POATE safari extensions, including gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and game safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.
What is the theme of POATE 2026?
The theme of POATE 2026 is "Wanderlust — It's Your Time to Thrive." The theme reflects Uganda's optimism about the tourism sector's growth trajectory and its invitation to global partners to participate in shaping Uganda's tourism future.
Uganda Is Ready to Thrive — And So Are We
Connect with Roam Beyond Tours at POATE 2026 or plan your post-expo Uganda adventure. Email us today.
Contact Roam Beyond Tours →POATE 2026 Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo Uganda Tourism Board Uganda Tourism Expo 2026 East Africa Tourism Speke Resort Munyonyo Uganda Travel Trade Roam Beyond Tours Uganda