The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has released the latest grading and classification of accommodation facilities as of November 2025, with Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo topping the list of Five-Star Hotels in the country .
Also among the Five-Star hotels include Kampala Serena Hotel, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, and Sheraton Kampala Hotel .
Seventeen hotels were rated four stars, 23 received three-star ratings, while 59 properties were classified as two-star establishments.
Among some of the four-star facilities are Four points by Sheraton hotel, Hotel Africana, Protea Hotel Kampala Skyz, Kabira Country Club, Bunyonyi Safaris resort and Mestil hotels.
The move aims at boosting service standards, strengthening investor confidence, and positioning the country competitively in the regional and global tourism market.
Mr John Simplicious Gessa, the UTB spokesperson, said a sector-wide team with diverse expertise carries out the assessments, evaluating each facility against established indices and grades.
“This classification helps us anticipate the type of service a visitor can expect and with this clients are unlikely to be disappointed when visiting a lower-star facility because requirements differ by category.”
He added; “By clearly defining the standards for each category, we are giving tourists certainty about what to expect, while signaling to investors where opportunities lie. Grading ensures that services meet regional and international benchmarks, which raises Uganda’s profile as a reliable and competitive destination.”
The grading is conducted under East African Community (EAC) standards, which apply uniformly to hotels, lodges, motels, cottages, and other sorts of accommodation facilities. However, the criteria differ depending on the type of facility.
“A place may be neat, but without a swimming pool or a standard reception, it cannot achieve a five-star rating. Lodges and motels are assessed based on the purpose they serve,” Mr Gessa explained.
As a mandatory requirement to participate in the grading, Mr Gessa says a facility must hold a valid operating license. “We don’t assess facilities still underway or those not authorized legally to accommodate people.”
The grading system defines service standards for each star level with varying requirements.
Mr Gessa explained that although standards are uniform across the region, the criteria differ depending on the type of facility. He noted that a facility may be neat but cannot achieve a five-star rating without key amenities such as a swimming pool or standard reception. Lodges, motels and other facilities are assessed according to the purpose they serve.
He added that facilities must hold a valid operating licence to qualify for grading and those still under construction are not assessed.
“We don’t inspect facilities that are still underway or those not legally authorized to accommodate guests,” he said.
Under the grading system, star levels reflect the range and quality of services offered.
One-star facilities are typically small, independently owned establishments with limited amenities and simple meals. Two-star facilities are generally small to medium-sized and provide more extensive services, including en-suite bathrooms and well-equipped overnight accommodation.
Three-star establishments must demonstrate higher staffing levels and a broader range of fully functional hotel departments. Four-star facilities are expected to offer luxury and quality furnishings, spacious bedrooms, coordinated décor and a high staff-to-guest ratio to provide services such as porterage, 24-hour room service and laundry.
Five-star facilities must provide spacious and luxurious accommodation that meets international standards. They are required to demonstrate exceptional interior design, immaculate furnishings, highly trained staff and flawless service. Restaurants must also show high technical skill in producing dishes that meet international standards.
In line with Regulation 5(4) of the Uganda Tourism (Classification of Accommodation Facilities and Restaurants) Regulations, 2014, grading of accommodation facilities is provided so as to assure travellers of the quality of services offered.
Sector data shows Uganda officially has about 3,850 hotels nationwide, according to the Tourism Marketing Master Plan. However, data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) lists about 6,000 hotels. The Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), says the lower figure better reflects the sector’s capacity noting that about 1200 hotels are located in Kampala.
Ms Jean Byamugisha, the UHOA chief executive officer says grading is important though it comes at a time when hotel operators are struggling with high operating costs which discourages their financial balance.
She said hotel investors face 26 different taxes and licences, making Uganda less competitive than regional neighbours and forcing budget-conscious visitors to rely on one- and two-star hotels, homestays and Airbnb facilities, many of which remain ungraded.
The association is advocating for tax consolidation to simplify compliance and make investment more attractive.
“The tax strain has made it difficult for small and mid-range hotels to upgrade or expand in time for growing demand. Many operators are also working on tight budgets, unable to access credit to complete new builds or refurbish existing facilities,” she said.
Findings documented in the recent World Bank study on tourist expenditure and motivation, indicate that tourists leave Uganda with 60 percent of their money unspent due to a perceived lack of attractions beyond the game parks, showing a persistent gap in Uganda’s tourism earnings.
The recent annual Tourism Development Program Performance Report, revealed that the sector earned Shs4.8 trillion ($1.28 billion) in 2024, representing a 26 percent surge from 2023. This income exceeded the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 by 4.9 percent, signaling a new growth path for the sector.
Government earmarked Shs430 billion for direct investment in tourism in the 2025/26 financial year, reinforcing its commitment to a sector showing strong post-pandemic recovery.
List of categories
FIVE-STAR HOTELS
Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo
Kampala Serena Hotel
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort,
Sheraton Kampala Hotel
FOUR-STAR
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
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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
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
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 headaway limited
Rushaga gorilla camp
Nob view hotel
Volcanoes bwindi lodge
Zebi eco lodge ltd