Uganda to Host Inaugural Africa Destination Celebrations Conference and Expo in 2026

Uganda is set to host the inaugural Africa Destination Celebrations Conference and Expo (ADCCE) from March 23 to 27, 2026, in Kampala, marking a major milestone in the continent’s efforts to position itself as a global hub for destination celebrations, luxury events and experiential travel.

The landmark continental event is expected to attract international event planners, destination wedding specialists, luxury travel designers, tour operators, creatives and hospitality stakeholders, while significantly boosting Uganda’s profile in the fast-growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.

Speaking on the significance of the event, tourism stakeholders noted that hosting ADCCE aligns directly with Uganda’s strategy to expand high-value tourism segments and compete for premium international events.

“This event directly supports Uganda’s vision to grow MICE tourism while positioning the country as a competitive destination for high-value international events,” said Mellon Tukeikiriza, Senior MICE Officer at the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

Designed as a multi-day industry platform, ADCCE 2026 will feature high-level conferences and keynote addresses, expert-led masterclasses, panel discussions, a curated exhibition showcase, structured business-to-business matchmaking sessions, VIP networking experiences and immersive cultural programming. Delegates will also participate in familiarisation trips highlighting Uganda’s diverse tourism products.

Peter Kaggwa, Chairman of the Uganda Association for Conference and Incentive Industry, said the expo will play a pivotal role in strengthening Uganda’s meetings and events ecosystem by linking local industry players to international markets and opportunities.

The conference and expo will officially open with “The Sounds of Africa Welcome Dinner,” a high-profile cultural evening celebrating African music, cuisine, fashion, and storytelling traditions, designed to introduce delegates to the continent’s rich creative and cultural heritage.

The event will conclude with the Africa Destination Awards Gala, dubbed “The Ice Ball,” to be hosted at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, where excellence and innovation in Africa’s destination celebrations and luxury events industry will be recognised.

Jackline Nanteza, President of ADCCE, confirmed that the conference and expo will be held annually, rotating across different African destinations, with Uganda hosting the inaugural edition.

“ADCCE was formed in Uganda, and as the inaugural host, we have a responsibility to showcase what the country represents in terms of culture, hospitality and destination excellence,” Nanteza said.

She explained that ADCCE brings together event planners, designers, stylists, tour operators and creative professionals into a single ecosystem, enabling international planners to experience Africa’s full event-hosting potential in one place.

“This expo is not just about tourism; it is a merger of events and tourism. When a client is seeking a destination for a celebration or luxury event, everything they need will be under one roof,” she added.

Following the expo, international delegates will embark on curated post-event familiarisation trips across Uganda, including gorilla trekking experiences, boat cruises on Lake Victoria and the River Nile, island retreats, wilderness dining, cultural heritage tours and adventure tourism experiences.