The road to the 6th Bi-Annual Private Sector CEO Retreat (6th BAR) took another significant step forward as the Technical Committee convened for its second sitting at the Uganda Business Facility Center (UBFC), Kololo. This planning session reaffirmed national efforts to position Uganda as a globally competitive tourism destination and to drive sustainable, investment-led growth in the sector.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, who emphasized the retreat’s strategic importance in aligning government priorities with private sector initiatives. She noted that the CEO Retreat presents a catalytic platform to mobilize resources, build synergies, and generate implementable solutions for Uganda’s tourism ecosystem.
Set to take place in September 2025 in Fort Portal City, the 6th BAR will be guided by the theme:
“Transforming Uganda into a Preferred Tourism Destination: Enhancing Public-Private Sector Investment in Infrastructure, Preservation of Flora and Fauna, Digitalization, Product Diversification, Marketing, and Tourist Safety.”
The committee meeting brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), Makerere University’s Faculty of Tourism, and the Presidential CEO Forum (PCF).
Discussions focused on three key areas:
Strategic Event Planning: Designing structured sessions that support high-level policy dialogue, investment mobilization, and stronger stakeholder engagement across sectors.
Media and Awareness Strategy: Leveraging both national and international platforms to promote Uganda’s tourism potential, showcase digital innovations, and highlight success stories in eco-tourism and conservation.
Expected Outcomes: The committee is working towards developing a national tourism development roadmap aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) IV, alongside concrete policy recommendations on infrastructure, safety, and strengthened public-private sector collaboration.
The upcoming retreat is expected to convene over 500 senior leaders, including CEOs, government ministers, development partners, and local government actors. It will also be graced by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, reflecting high-level endorsement of the retreat’s agenda and the broader Vision 2040 aspirations.
The Presidential CEO Forum (PCF) remains committed to fostering inclusive dialogue and meaningful partnerships that position the private sector as a key contributor to national development. As preparations continue, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a focused and outcome-driven CEO Retreat in September.
