By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has released its latest grading and classification of accommodation facilities, highlighting leading hospitality establishments as the country intensifies efforts to improve service standards and strengthen its competitiveness in regional and international tourism markets.
The updated rankings, released following assessments conducted up to November 2025, place several prominent facilities among Uganda’s top-rated hotels, with Speke Resort Munyonyo, Fairway Hotel, and Kabira Country Club emerging among the standout performers within their respective categories.
According to UTB, the classification exercise is intended to assure travellers of the quality of services offered while guiding investors on areas requiring improvement and expansion within the hospitality sector.
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has released its latest grading and classification of accommodation facilities as of November 2025, a move aimed at improving service quality, strengthening investor confidence, and positioning Uganda more competitively within regional and global tourism markets.
The new rankings place four facilities in the prestigious five-star category: Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Serena Hotel, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, and Sheraton Kampala Hotel. Seventeen hotels attained four-star status, 23 were graded three stars, while 59 properties were classified as two-star establishments.
According to UTB spokesperson John Simplicious Gessa, the classification exercise is conducted by a multidisciplinary assessment team that evaluates facilities against established regional standards.
“This classification helps us anticipate the type of service a visitor can expect. Clients are less likely to be disappointed because requirements differ by category,” Gessa said.
He noted that clearly defined standards provide certainty for travellers while also signalling investment opportunities within the sector.
The grading exercise is conducted under East African Community standards, which apply across hotels, lodges, motels, cottages, and other accommodation facilities, although assessment criteria vary depending on the nature and purpose of each establishment.
“A facility may be neat, but without key amenities such as a swimming pool or a standard reception, it cannot achieve a five-star rating,” Gessa explained.
Participation in the grading process requires a valid operating licence. Facilities still under construction or those not legally authorised to host guests are excluded from assessment.
Star ratings reflect the range and quality of services offered. One- and two-star facilities provide basic to moderate accommodation, while three- and four-star establishments must demonstrate higher staffing levels, expanded services, and quality furnishings. Five-star facilities must meet international luxury standards, supported by highly trained staff and exceptional service delivery.
FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIED ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ FIVE-STAR HOTELS
- Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo
- Kampala Serena Hotel
- Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort
- Sheraton Kampala Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ FOUR-STAR HOTELS
- Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi
- Bomah Hotel Gulu
- Bunyonyi Safaris Resort
- Emburara Farm Lodge
- Four Points by Sheraton Kampala
- Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Hotel Africana Ltd – Kampala
- Hotel Le Confidentiel
- Igongo Cultural Centre & Country Hotel
- Kabira Country Club
- Lake Victoria Granada
- Mestil Hotels
- Protea Hotel Kampala Skyz
- Protea Marriott Kampala
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe
- Zara Garden Hotel & Apartments
⭐⭐⭐ THREE-STAR HOTELS
- Acholi Inn
- Admas Grand Hotel
- Aquarius Kigo Resort
- Brovad Sands Ltd
- Cephas Inn
- Chimpundu Lodge
- Collin Hotel
- Courtyard International Hotel
- Fairway Hotel
- Fort Motel
- Hotel Brovad
- Hotel Hera Ltd
- Imperial Heights Hotel Limited
- Kampala Nile Resort
- Kabalega Resorts – Hoima
- Lake View Resort Hotel
- Las Vegas Garden Hotel Mbarara
- Mahogany Springs Luxury Lodge
- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Pineapple Bay Resort
- Silver Springs Hotel
- The Emin Pasha Hotel & Spa
- Trackers Safari Lodge
⭐⭐ TWO-STAR HOTELS
- Friends Beach Hotel & Restaurant
- Adere Safari Lodge
- Adrift River Club
- Ataco Country Resort
- Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge
- Arcadia Suites
- Banana Village Eco Retreat
- Bukoto Heights Apartments
- Bunyonyi Overland Resort
- Casa Miltu Hotel
- Cassia Lodge
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Coffee Lodge
- Comfort Hotel
- Crystal Suites & Apartments Ltd
- Dolphin Suites
- Dreamland Hotel Limited
- Entebbe Forest Lodge
- Excelsis Garden Hotel
- Entebbe Palm Hotel
- Entebbe Traveller’s Hotel
- Eureka Palace Hotel & Suites
- Forest Cottages
- Golden Castle Hotel
- Golden Courts Hotel Limited
- Harmony Hotel
- HBT Russel Hotel
- Hotel Paradise on the Nile
- Hoima Buffalo Hotel & Business Hub Ltd
- Hotel Horizon
- Hotel La Vena
- Hotel Seven Seasons Ltd
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- K-Hotels
- Kalya Court Hotel
- Koki Hotel Kampala Limited
- Lakeside Escape Resort Limited
- Le Petit Village Hotel
- Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
- Maple Leaf Hotel
- Mburo Eagles Nest
- Mountains of the Moon Hotel
- Mount Zion Hotel Kampala
- Mt Elgon Hotel & Spa
- Nanjing Executive Chinese Restaurant and Motel Limited
- Nanjinj Hotel Uganda Limited
- No. 5 Boutique Hotel
- Onomo Hotel Kampala
- Rehoboth Hotel & Apartments
- Sapphire Hotel
- Sir Jose Hotel
- Speak Hotel 1996 Limited
- Speranza Hotel
- Source of the Nile Hotel Limited, Namanve
- Red Chilli Hideaway Limited
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Nob View Hotel
- Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
- Zebi Eco Lodge Ltd
UTB officials say the updated classification is intended to assure travellers of service quality while encouraging facilities to continuously improve standards as Uganda strengthens its position as a competitive tourism destination.
