Ugandan chefs urged to use food festivals to boost tourism

Uganda's Consul to Eswatini, Tobias Kamugisha, has urged Ugandan chefs to participate in international food festivals to raise the global profile of Ugandan cuisine and promote the country's tourism sector through culinary excellence.

Speaking during the four-day Southern Africa Food Festival (SAFFEST), held at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Eswatini from July 15 to 19, 2026, Kamugisha said food festivals provide an opportunity to showcase the relationship between food and culture through food selection, preparation, presentation, and appreciation.

He said participation in such festivals would expose Ugandan chefs to international culinary techniques and cuisines while helping them build professional networks and improve their skills.

Kamugisha, who has lived in Eswatini for the past 40 years, has served as Uganda's Consul to the country for the last 11 years.

Eswatini changed its name from Swaziland in 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence. The name means "land of the Swazis" in the SiSwati language.

Chef Andrew Alikuluya, President of the Uganda Chefs Union and Executive Chef at Extreme Adventure Park in Busiika, told New Vision on July 29 that the festival was organised to celebrate African cuisine, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen the professional capacity of chefs across the continent.

He said the event provided mentorship opportunities for young chefs and culinary students while creating networks among culinary professionals from different African countries.

Alikuluya said his participation in international food festivals reflects his commitment to positioning Uganda as one of Africa's leading culinary destinations.

"This engagement reinforces Uganda's position as a key player in Africa's growing food and tourism industry," he said.

He added that he gained valuable knowledge and skills in food safety, quality standards, hospitality innovation, and culinary advocacy.

Eswatini's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, said the festival celebrated more than cooking, describing chefs as visionaries capable of driving tourism and economic development.

She said that through food exhibitions, cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, and dialogue, participants explored how food serves as a tool for diplomacy and for strengthening relationships among nations.

Mkhonta-Simelane said the main objective of SAFFEST was to bring together culinary practitioners, artists, cultural organisations, researchers, and members of the African diaspora from around the world.

"Food is more than nourishment. It is a powerful expression of cultural identity, historical memory, economic opportunity, and human connection," she said.

"The idea behind this festival is that every plate of food tells a story of migration, resilience, creativity, and belonging."

The Manzini Regional Administrator, Prince Chief Gija Dlamini, who represented Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at the official opening of the festival, reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the country's food sector through investment in culinary training, food safety standards, and platforms that promote chefs and farmers.

He noted that the success of chefs is closely linked to the success of farmers because restaurants rely on agricultural produce. As the culinary industry grows, he said, so do farming, hospitality, and the tourism sector.