Mbale faces accommodation crisis as FEASSA games start

The usually bustling but manageable hospitality landscape of Mbale has been pushed to the brink as thousands of visitors from across East Africa flood the city for the Federation of East African Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games, currently being hosted in Bukedea.

The overwhelming demand for lodging has outstripped supply, leading to a citywide scramble for rooms specifically those ranging between shs 30,000 and shs 100,000.

A room of shs30,000 in Mbale has a 5X5 bed self-contained with a 32-inch TV set, tiled and with ample space.

What initially seemed like a straightforward task for one resident quickly turned into a frantic search.

"I received a call around 6 pm from friends needing accommodation," the resident recounted.

"Given Mbale's reputation for having ample guest houses and hotels, I was confident I'd secure something quickly. However, my first call to a guest house manager was met with an unexpected response—all rooms were fully booked."

Unperturbed, the resident asked a boda boda rider to assist in finding accommodation. Two rooms were secured, but the third proved elusive.

As the night wore on, and the guests arrived, the reality of the situation set in.

A drive through Mbale's Central Business District (CBD) and its outskirts yielded nothing—every available space was taken. The search ended at 11 pm and a decision was taken for two to share a room.

Double star Hotel, Visitor's Inn, Terace Inn, Sabunyo Guest House, Carlifonia guest house, Coty Friends Guest House, Patrina Hotel and many others remain parked since friday.

This was a stark contrast to high-end Hotels rhose above shs 100,000. A manager of one of the hotels identified as Isiah says.

Charles Nyeko,the manager of a conglomerate of hotels including Bills Hotel, Bills Motel, Rates Hotel, Rates Travellers Inn says all hotel all located in Indian quaters  are booked by clients associated to the ongoing FEASSA games in Bukedea.

This shortage is a clear indicator of the economic ripple effects generated by hosting a large-scale international event.

Mbale, strategically located 35 kilometers from Bukedea, has become the de facto lodging hub for many attendees, particularly from Kenya.

The city's guest houses and hotels have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors, many of whom are supporters and family members of the athletes competing in the games.

Ben Acheng, a Kenyan national attending the games, confirmed that he and many of his compatriots have opted to stay in Mbale, making the daily commute to Bukedea.

"The journey is manageable," Acheng noted, "and it allows us to enjoy the amenities of Mbale while supporting our teams in Bukedea."

The situation highlights both the economic opportunities and the logistical challenges of hosting such an event.

Local businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, have experienced a significant windfall, yet the lack of sufficient infrastructure to accommodate the influx underscores a need for future planning.

As the FEASSA games continue, Mbale's accommodation crisis serves as a potent reminder of the region's growing potential as a hub for international events.

However, it also calls for increased investment in infrastructure to fully capitalize on such opportunities in the future.

The success of the event and the resulting economic impact underscore the importance of further developing the region's capacity to host large-scale events, ensuring that both the local economy and the guests experience the best the area has to offer.

Meanwhile over 3000 students participating in the games have been offered accommodation by the host school partly absorbing the demand.