FROM BAKERY TO MARRIOTT: NGABIRANOS’ BIG LEAP: Museveni Hails Ugandan Entrepreneurs For Attracting A Global Hospitality Brand And Taking Local Investment To New Heights

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has inaugurated the Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, describing the landmark hospitality project as a major vote of confidence in Uganda’s economy and a demonstration of what local entrepreneurs can achieve.

The grand inauguration and key handover ceremony, held in Kampala, brought together government officials, business leaders, investors and other guests to celebrate the completion of one of the capital’s most prominent new hospitality developments.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who attended the ceremony, described the hotel as a “magnificent addition” to Kampala’s skyline, praising the Ugandan entrepreneurs behind the investment.

The project was developed by Mr and Mrs Ponsiano Ngabirano, the entrepreneurs popularly associated with Capital Shoppers Supermarkets. Their journey from a small bakery to building a major supermarket chain and now investing in a globally branded hotel was highlighted as an example of the growing capacity of Ugandan businesses.

Tayebwa said the Ngabiranos’ story demonstrated the potential of Ugandan entrepreneurs to move beyond traditional commerce and venture into large-scale investments capable of attracting globally recognised companies.

“I joined H.E. @KagutaMuseveni, ministers and other guests for the grand inauguration and key handover ceremony of Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, a magnificent addition to Kampala’s skyline today afternoon,” Tayebwa said.

He noted that the project had been built by Ugandan entrepreneurs, describing the Ngabiranos as an inspiring example of business growth.

“The couple are an example of the potential of Ugandan entrepreneurs. They have an inspiring story, having started with a small bakery, established Capital Shoppers supermarket, and now undertaken a major hotel project that attracted Marriott, a reputable international brand in the hospitality sector,” he said.

Museveni hails local investment

President Museveni used the occasion to commend the Ngabiranos for moving into tourism and hospitality, saying such investments were important to Uganda’s economic transformation.

According to Tayebwa, Museveni described the couple as “healthy actors” in the economy because of their progression from importing products to investing in productive sectors within Uganda.

The President said the investment represented an important shift in the behaviour of local entrepreneurs, particularly those who have accumulated capital through trade and are now putting that capital into long-term productive ventures.

Museveni’s message was that Uganda needs more investors who can take the next step from commerce into manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and other sectors that create jobs and retain value within the country.

He praised the Ngabiranos for “putting their feet down” in tourism and hospitality, a sector he said would add significant value to the national economy.

The Kampala Marriott project, he noted, is not simply another hotel but part of the broader effort to expand Uganda’s tourism infrastructure and position Kampala as a competitive destination for international visitors, business travellers and conferences.

A boost to tourism and conferences

The inauguration comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to strengthen its position as a regional destination for international meetings, conferences and business events.

Tayebwa said the new Marriott facility would help Kampala host regional and global conferences while giving the country additional capacity to accommodate high-end visitors.

The Deputy Speaker said the hotel’s international branding was equally significant because the participation of Marriott International demonstrated confidence in Uganda as an investment destination.

“Most importantly, a brand like Marriott International investing in this project is a vote of confidence in Uganda’s economy,” Tayebwa said.

“It demonstrates that Uganda is a destination of choice for serious international brands. It positions Kampala to host regional and global conferences and will boost Uganda’s tourism sector.”

The investment therefore carries significance beyond its physical presence on Kampala’s skyline. Its promoters believe it can contribute to the growth of the wider hospitality ecosystem, including transport, food supply, entertainment, agriculture and other businesses that service hotels and their guests.

Jobs and wider economic impact

Another major benefit highlighted during the inauguration was employment. Tayebwa said the project would create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, providing jobs for Ugandans while supporting businesses connected to the hospitality industry.

Large hotels typically generate employment not only through their own operations but also through suppliers, contractors, transport providers, tour operators, farmers, food processors, entertainers and other service providers.

For Uganda, where employment creation remains a central economic priority, such investments are viewed as an important component of private-sector-led growth.

The hotel also adds to the country’s stock of high-end accommodation facilities at a time when Kampala is increasingly hosting major international meetings and events.

Its association with Marriott International gives the facility access to a globally recognised hospitality network and brand, potentially attracting international travellers who are already familiar with Marriott properties elsewhere in the world.

From bakery to global hospitality

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the inauguration was the story behind the investment.

The Ngabiranos began with a small bakery before establishing Capital Shoppers Supermarkets. From those relatively modest beginnings, they have expanded their business interests into a major hospitality investment.

Their transition illustrates the possibility of Ugandan businesses growing from small enterprises into companies capable of undertaking capital-intensive projects and partnering with multinational corporations.

Tayebwa said their journey should inspire other Ugandan entrepreneurs to think bigger and invest in sectors capable of transforming the economy.

The project also demonstrates how local capital can be combined with international expertise and branding.

The involvement of Marriott International provides the global hospitality identity, while the investment and entrepreneurial initiative came from Ugandan businesspeople.

NSSF partnership

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) was also recognised for joining the Ngabiranos in the investment.

Tayebwa thanked NSSF for participating in what he described as a critical investment, underlining the importance of institutional investors supporting major projects with the potential to generate long-term economic returns.

The involvement of NSSF adds another dimension to the project because pension funds can play a significant role in financing large-scale infrastructure and productive investments.

Tayebwa congratulated the Ngabiranos and all the partners involved in bringing the project to completion.

“Congratulations to Mr & Mrs. Ngabirano and all the partners who have brought this project to completion. Thanks to NSSF for joining the couple in this critical investment,” he said.

A new landmark for Kampala

The inauguration of Kampala Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments marks another milestone in the transformation of Kampala’s hospitality landscape.

Beyond the grandeur of the facility, the project has been presented by government leaders as a symbol of Uganda’s growing entrepreneurial confidence and its ability to attract globally recognised brands.

For Museveni, the investment reflects the kind of economic activity he wants to see more of—Ugandans moving from trading and importing goods towards productive investments that create employment, attract foreign partners and generate long-term value.

For Tayebwa, the Ngabiranos’ journey offers an equally important lesson: Ugandan entrepreneurs can start small, grow steadily and eventually build businesses capable of attracting some of the world’s biggest brands.

As the doors of the Kampala Marriott Hotel officially open, the government hopes the facility will become more than a luxury hospitality destination. It is expected to contribute to tourism, conference business, employment and investment while strengthening Kampala’s profile as a regional and international business destination.

The project’s completion thus represents both a business achievement for the Ngabiranos and a broader statement about the ambitions of Uganda’s private sector.

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Charles Gazza Kodili: Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
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