Uganda’s Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC), based in Jinja, is strengthening its regional collaboration agenda following high-level engagements with Kenya Utalii College (KUC), one of Africa’s renowned hospitality and tourism training institutions.
A delegation from HTTC, led by the Principal, Mr Richard Kawere and the college Vice-Guild president, ZaharaNyomera, recently paid a courtesy visit to Kenya UtaliiCollege in Nairobi, where they held discussions with the institution’s Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mark Ogendi, and members of the management team.
The engagement focused on identifying areas of mutual cooperation, with the proposed establishment of student and staff exchange programmes emerging as a key priority. The proposed partnership is expected to create opportunities for cross-border learning, professional development, cultural exchange and knowledge sharing, while strengthening institutional relationships between the two neighbouring countries.
During the discussions, the two institutions expressed interest in formalising their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“The MoU is expected to provide a framework for student and staff exchanges, joint learning initiatives and broader collaboration in hospitality and tourism training,” Mr Kaweresaid.
The partnership is particularly significant given the increasingly regional nature of the tourism and hospitality industry, which requires institutions to embrace collaboration, share expertise and expose trainees to diverse professional environments.
As part of the visit, the HTTC delegation also interacted with student leaders from Kenya Utalii College. The meeting brought together the Vice Guild President and a select group of HTTC students with their counterparts at KUC.
The student leaders explored opportunities for cooperation and agreed on the importance of building stronger relations between the two student communities.
“The interaction provided a platform for exchanging ideas, experiences and perspectives on student leadership and the hospitality and tourism profession,” Nyomera said.
The proposed student exchange programme is expected to expose HTTC learners to different training environments, industry practices and cultural experiences, equipping them with broader perspectives and competencies required to compete in the regional and international labour markets.
For HTTC, the engagement represents another step towards expanding strategic partnerships and positioning the institution as a centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism training.
Formerly known as the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), HTTC transitioned into its current institutional framework following the enactment of the TVET Act, 2025. The institution is mandated to develop skilled manpower for Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry through practical, demand-driven vocational training.
Through partnerships with established regional and international institutions, HTTC seeks to strengthen the quality of its training, promote innovation and ensure that its graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge and professional attitudes demanded by a dynamic tourism and hospitality industry.
The proposed collaboration with Kenya Utalii College,therefore, presents an important opportunity to deepen regional cooperation, enhance institutional capacity and prepare a new generation of hospitality and tourism professionals for an increasingly interconnected African industry.
