Profile

Jeanne Byamugisha

Chief Executive Officer
Uganda Hotel Owners Association

Jean Byamugisha is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), the sole trade association representing Uganda’s hotel sector. UHOA is not only the largest but also one of the oldest private sector associations in Uganda’s tourism industry, boasting over 700 member hotels. In her capcacity as CEO, capacity, she provides strategic leadership to an industry that is a cornerstone of Uganda’s tourism economy, guiding initiatives that strengthen the capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability of the country’s hotel sector. She is responsible for driving UHOA’s strategic agenda, which includes policy advocacy, industry coordination, and stakeholder engagement with government institutions, development partners, and private sector actors. She works closely with key government agencies to ensure that policies and regulatory frameworks support a conducive environment for tourism and hospitality investment, while also promoting compliance, professionalism, and high service standards within the industry. Jean has been instrumental in forging partnerships with international organizations and development agencies to advance skills development and workforce readiness in the hospitality sector. Under her leadership, UHOA has implemented impactful apprenticeship and skills training programs in partnership with institutions such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI). These initiatives have provided hundreds of young people—particularly from refugee settlements and host communities—with practical training and employment opportunities in hotels across the country.