The Speke Resort Convention Centre is poised to host prestigious events, with the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the G77 South Summits scheduled for January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda.

Rajiv Ruparelia, a Director of the Ruparelia Group highlighted that the structural works, which commenced in November 2022, have reached an impressive 64% completion.

Rajiv added that beyond these summits, the convention centre will significantly enhance Uganda’s competitiveness in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) sector, positioning the country as a compelling destination for regional and continental meetings, conferences, and trade exhibitions.

“This Convention Centre is certainly a much-needed and strategic addition to Uganda’s profile as a competitive destination for key meetings, conferences and trade exhibitions in the region and on the continent. The two summits will be crucial to enhancing and marketing that potential,” Rajiv said.

The development stage of the USD47 million facility has already generated employment for 1000 people, working in two shifts, with an indirect impact on 5,000 people overall, showcasing its positive contribution to the local community.

Rajiv called for support from all who value development, recognising the significance of this project for Uganda’s growth and prosperity.

“We need all the support for this project from all people who love development,” Rajiv added.

Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, the Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, who led a media tour of the project on July 18th, 2023, revealed

The Ruparelia Group, through its subsidiaries, Speke Hotels, and Meera Investments, is committed to delivering this key national facility on time.

“Ruparelia Group, through our two subsidiaries, Speke Hotels and Meera Investments, is sparing no effort to ensure that we deliver this key strategic national facility on time,” Dr Sudhir said.

The Speke Resort Convention Centre is set to become a one-of-a-kind facility, boasting a main auditorium with a capacity of between 3,800 to 4,400 people, depending on the seating arrangement.

Additionally, the centre will feature a multipurpose hall, 12 high-end conference/breakaway meeting rooms, and a floating restaurant designed to accommodate over 900 guests.

The resort’s strategic location along the banks of Lake Victoria adds to the allure of this spectacular venue, providing breathtaking views for attendees.

The Ruparelia Group is jointly developing the project with the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), which serves as the investing arm of the Government of Uganda.

UDC’s mission is to establish or invest in sustainable projects that contribute to Uganda’s social and economic transformation and prosperity.

Both Meera and UDC own 50% of the Speke Resort Convention Centre, solidifying the project’s commitment to national development.

The convention centre will be seamlessly integrated into the existing 105-acre luxury resort complex, which is already home to two other iconic Ruparelia Group-owned lake-side resorts: Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.

Together, these three esteemed properties offer Uganda’s hospitality sector an impressive array of up to 40 indoor meeting and banqueting facilities of varying sizes, along with several outdoor venues, providing a combined capacity to host up to 19,000 people.

The resort complex also boasts 476 accommodation rooms, including 54 presidential suites and 3 ballrooms, catering to diverse guest preferences and event requirements.

The construction of the Grand Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, situated on the serene shores of Lake Victoria, is proceeding on schedule and is expected to be completed by November 2023, as confirmed by the Ruparelia Group, the project’s co-developers.

“Overall, the development of the Speke Resort Convention Centre and the resort complex is being carried out in compliance with all relevant environmental and municipal regulations and laws, ensuring the preservation of Lake Victoria, a unique asset that the Ruparelia Group values deeply,” Ruparelia said.

The Ruparelia Group is committed to delivering the region’s largest convention centre, elevating Uganda’s global standing and ensuring the successful hosting of high-profile events that will further showcase the country’s potential on the international stage.