Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Festival Concludes with Celebration of Sustainablity Champions

Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Festival, a three-day celebration of responsible tourism successfully concluded on Saturday, 22nd November, with the grand Ekkula Awards Night that honoured outstanding individuals, organisations, and initiatives shaping Uganda’s sustainable tourism landscape.

Organised by Africa Tourism and Environment Initiatives (ATEI) in partnership with Brand Ambassadors 256, the Ekkula Festival created a space where government, private sector leaders, conservationists, creatives, youth champions and development partners converged to shape a shared vision of responsible tourism. 

The festival featured exhibitions, tourism quizzes, cultural showcases, old-school themed evenings, runway modelling, appearances by the Miss Climate & Miss Tourism Queens and Men of Tourism, immersive interactive experiences that reflected Uganda’s diverse identity and tourism promise.

A major highlight of the festival was the historic unveiling of the Official Seven Wonders of Kampala, a pioneering initiative celebrating the capital’s most iconic landmarks that define its cultural, spiritual and historical identity.

The unveiled Seven Wonders of Kampala are: Kasubi Tombs, Makerere University, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Gaddafi Mosque (Old Kampala), Baháʼí Temple, Kabaka’s Lake & Lubiri Palace, and the Uganda Museum, with the Independence Monument recognised as an Honorary Wonder symbolising Uganda’s sovereignty and national pride.

The festival also witnessed the launch of Uganda’s first-ever tourism anthem titled “Uganda Ekkula,” a unifying musical expression celebrating the nation’s beauty and tourism potential 

Speaking at the festival, Bismac Moses Amumpaire, Executive Director of Africa Tourism and Environment Initiatives, the brainchild of the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Festival and Awards, noted that Ekkula represents a shift towards tourism driven by purpose, responsibility and community value. 

He emphasized that sustainability, conservation and cultural preservation must form the backbone of Uganda’s tourism future. 

ATEI Board Chairperson Clareh Twesigye echoed this vision, noting that the Ekkula platform has become a catalyst for elevating standards and positioning Uganda as a conscious tourism destination on the global stage.

The climax of the festival was the highly anticipated Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards Night, an evening of elegance, glamour and national recognition that honoured individuals, institutions and initiatives making outstanding contributions to sustainable tourism.

The dinner was supported by ENABEL and the Uganda Tourism Board, among other strategic partners. ENABEL further commended and encouraged tourism stakeholders to deepen collaboration, embrace sustainable practices and continue positioning tourism as a catalyst for inclusive development, community resilience and environmental protection, while reaffirming its commitment to supporting innovative initiatives that strengthen Uganda’s tourism value chain and community-based enterprises.

The awards night attendees also drew inspiration from Mrs Yogi Birigwa, President of the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), whose leadership continues to guide the sector towards structured growth and sustainability. 

Adding prestige to the occasion was the presence of Sarah Kagingo, Vice Chair of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), who attended as Guest of Honour, reinforcing the private sector’s active role in shaping Uganda’s sustainable tourism agenda. And the strong presence and support of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities,, Uganda Wildlife Authority among others.

The winners of the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2025 are as follows:

- Sustainable New Hotel / Eco Lodge of the Year -- Acacia Wilderness Mweya – Queen Elizabeth National Park

- Sustainable Hotel of the Year -- Igongo Country Hotel

- Sustainable Eco Lodge of the Year -- Tabebuia Spa and Safari Resort

- Agro-Tourism Eco Lodge of the Year -- Emburara Farm Lodge

- Rising Sustainable Eco Lodge of the Year -- Kaara Mountain Gorilla Lodge

- Best Sustainable Airline 2025 (Business Class) -- Brussels Airlines

- Sustainable Airline 2025 (Economy Class) -- Ethiopian Airlines

- Sustainable Tourism Youth Champion -- Ibrahim Kayondo

- Woman Champion of Sustainable Tourism 2025 -- Evelyn Habasa (Ride For a Woman Bwindi)

- Rising Woman of Sustainable Tourism -- Jackline Nanteza / Wild Celebrations Africa

- Tourism Ambassador of the Year -- H.E Paul Makubuya

- Sustainable Travel Photographer of the Year -- Twinematsiko Dickson

- Sustainable Tourism Journalist of the Year -- Trevor Lutalo (Daily Monitor)

Mr John Hunwick – Rwenzori Trekking Services -- Honoured for decades of pioneering sustainable adventure tourism, conservation and trail development in the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon. The recognition coincided with his 77th birthday, adding profound emotional significance to the moment.

Special Posthumous Recognition Award -- Dr Jane GoodallFor her extraordinary global legacy in wildlife conservation and environmental advocacy. The award was received on her behalf by Mr James Byamukama, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda

- Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year -- Nkuringo Safaris

- Nature-Based Tourism Experience Award -- Nature-Based Solutions & Rwenzori Coffee House Experience

- Adventure Tourism Star Award -- Raft Uganda Adventures

- Culinary Tourism Excellence Award -- Chefs Union Uganda / East African Culinary Fusion

- Sustainable Tourism Event of the Year -- Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon

- Cultural Heritage Champion Award -- National Arts & Cultural Crafts Association of Uganda

- Conservation Champion Award -- Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)

- Inclusive Tourism Champion Award -- Skia Café – Jinja

- Kampala Sheraton Hotel -- Outstanding Contribution to Tourism (Hospitality Leadership)

- ENABEL Uganda -- Transformational Partner in Sustainable Tourism Development / For its transformative support to Uganda’s tourism sector through innovation, capacity building, and community empowerment initiatives.

The awards night unfolded in an atmosphere of breathtaking fashion, music and visual spectacle, reflecting the glamour and significance of the occasion while reinforcing the core message that sustainable tourism is Uganda’s pathway to economic resilience and growth 

Judging Criteria

All nominees and winners of the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2025 were evaluated through a transparent and rigorous assessment framework designed to uphold credibility, fairness, and industry best practices. The scoring was based on;

30% – Public & Stakeholder Voting: Community engagement, public support, and stakeholder validation.

70% – Technical Jury Assessment: Sustainability impact, innovation, operational excellence

Official Panel of Judges

The awards process was overseen by a distinguished panel of tourism and hospitality experts:

Isa Kato - Vice President, Uganda Tourism Association

Nyesiga Angella - Senior Quality Assurance Officer, Uganda Tourism Board

Dr. Kasande Provia - PhD, Makerere University Business School – Tourism & Hospitality