KAMPALA, Aug 29 – Marriott, the world’s largest hotel company with more than 1.8 million rooms, has expanded its presence in Uganda with the opening of the Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Kampala, introducing both brands to the country for the first time as demand for business, diplomatic and leisure accommodation continues to develop.
Located in Nsambya, the dual-branded property comprises 181 guestrooms and suites at Kampala Marriott Hotel and 96 fully serviced apartments at Marriott Executive Apartments Kampala. The development is positioned near Kampala’s city centre and about 40 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport, with access to diplomatic missions, corporate headquarters, government institutions and major cultural attractions.
Johan Cronjé, Regional Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Marriott International, said the development responds to changing demand across Uganda’s tourism and business sectors.
“As Uganda’s tourism and business sectors continue to evolve, we see increasing demand for hospitality experiences that cater to a broad range of traveller needs,” Cronjé said.
He added that the hotel and extended-stay property are positioned to serve Kampala’s business, diplomatic, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and leisure markets.
Kampala Marriott Hotel features a Presidential Suite alongside its other guestrooms and suites, with dedicated workspaces, high-speed connectivity and locally influenced design elements. The property’s architecture includes a skybridge connecting its two towers, while selected rooms provide views towards Lake Victoria and the city’s seven hills.
The hotel also includes Marriott Hotels’ Greatroom, an open-plan lobby designed for work and social interaction, as well as an M Club lounge for eligible Marriott Bonvoy members and guests staying on executive floors. A business centre is also available.
Its food and beverage offering comprises six restaurants and bars, covering a range of dining formats. These include The Woodshed Grill & Bar, Luna Cake Studio, Majlis Coffee Lounge, Kasana Deck, Iron Taps Sports Bar and Tatu Rooftop Bar.
The property also provides wellness and leisure facilities, including Saray Spa, steam and sauna facilities, a fitness centre and an outdoor heated swimming pool.
For corporate and institutional demand, Kampala Marriott Hotel offers 1,293 square metres of event space across six venues. The Kampala Grand Ballroom can accommodate as many as 1,000 guests, with audiovisual technology and event-planning services aimed at conferences, corporate meetings, diplomatic functions and social events.
The adjacent Marriott Executive Apartments Kampala is designed for longer-term guests, including executives, consultants, diplomatic personnel, project teams and families relocating to the city.
The property contains 96 serviced apartments ranging from studios to a three-bedroom penthouse. The units feature separate living, dining and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens and dedicated workspaces, combining residential facilities with hotel services. Residents can also access the wider property’s dining, wellness and business facilities.
Mustapha Fodil, General Manager of the two properties, said the development was designed to combine international hospitality standards with locally relevant experiences.
“We are proud to introduce a destination that brings together globally recognised hospitality standards with experiences that resonate with both international travellers and the local community,” Fodil said.
He said the properties are intended to accommodate guests ranging from short-term visitors to those staying for several months, while also serving events, business meetings and local dining demand.
The opening brings Marriott International’s portfolio in Uganda to seven properties across five brands. The expansion strengthens the group’s presence in Kampala at a time when the city is seeking to serve growing business, diplomatic, tourism and extended-stay demand.
For Uganda’s hospitality market, the dual-branded development adds capacity across both conventional hotel accommodation and longer-term serviced living, giving Marriott access to multiple segments of the country’s expanding visitor and business economy.
