Speke Resort Munyonyo has been named Sustainable Hotel of the Year at the 10th Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2026 which adds to other accolades so far won this year.
The resort, owned by City Tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Group, received the recognition for its contribution to sustainable tourism, commitment to excellence and efforts towards promoting environmentally responsible tourism practices in Uganda.
The award was presented under the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards, which recognise players making contributions to the development of sustainable tourism in the country.
A certificate of recognition presented to the resort states that the award was in recognition of its outstanding achievement as the Sustainable Hotel of the Year at the 10th Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2026.
“Your exceptional contribution, commitment to excellence and dedication to advancing sustainable tourism have made a remarkable impact on Uganda’s tourism industry,” the certificate reads.
This award adds to Speke Resort Munyonyo’s reputation as one of Uganda’s leading hospitality and conference destinations, particularly in the areas of luxury accommodation, international conferences, leisure and tourism.
The latest recognition follows an impressive year for the Munyonyo-based facility, which has also secured international recognition for its conference and luxury hospitality services.
In September 2026, Speke Resort Munyonyo was named Uganda’s Leading Conference Hotel 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards. It beat Kampala Serena Hotel, Protea Hotel Kampala Skyz and Sheraton Kampala Hotel, which were also nominated in the category.
The achievement extended the resort’s winning streak, having retained the same title for three consecutive years, following its victories in 2024 and 2025. The World Travel Awards recognise excellence across the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries.
The resort also received global recognition at the 2026 LUXE Global Awards, where it was named Best Luxury MICE Resort Globally, further strengthening its position in the international Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.
Another important development came in July 2026 when Speke Resort Convention Centre was admitted as a Convention Centre Partner of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), an international body bringing together professional congress organisers and other players in the meetings industry.
The partnership gives the facility access to an international network of conference organisers, meeting planners and business events professionals, potentially creating more opportunities for Uganda to attract international conferences.
A major conference and tourism destination
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, Kampala, Speke Resort Munyonyo has developed into one of Uganda’s prominent luxury hospitality and conference destinations under the ownership of Sudhir Ruparelia.
The resort’s development dates back to the late 1990s when Ruparelia acquired land in Munyonyo with an initial plan of establishing a lakeside retreat for his family and friends. The project later expanded into a major hospitality investment incorporating Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.
The facility offers 476 guestrooms and suites, 34 meeting, conference and exhibition venues, more than 10,000 square metres of indoor meeting space and extensive outdoor event facilities.
Its flagship Rwenzori Convention Centre provides space for large international gatherings, while its accommodation, restaurants and recreational facilities enable visitors to combine business engagements with leisure activities.
The resort also offers a range of leisure experiences, including swimming, horse riding, a marina experience, spa and wellness services, a gym, squash facilities and dining outlets. Its location along Lake Victoria provides guests with opportunities to enjoy the lake and the surrounding natural environment.
Over the years, Speke Resort has hosted several high-profile international engagements, including the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in January 2024, the G77+China Third South Summit, the Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers and the Uganda-European Union Business Forum.
These gatherings have placed the facility at the centre of Uganda’s efforts to attract international conferences, diplomatic engagements and business tourism.
The growing recognition of the resort also comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to strengthen its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism segment as an additional source of international visitors and tourism revenue.
The Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Award therefore adds an environmental sustainability dimension to the resort’s growing list of hospitality and conference industry accolades in 2026.
