The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), announced the return of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2025) — scheduled to take place from May 21st to 24th at the newly expanded Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo.
This year’s expo, themed “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation,” will be a elebration of Uganda’s identity, creativity, and commitment to sustainable tourism — bringing together global investors, creatives, and cultural enthusiasts.
Kicking off on May 21st, the opening ceremony will unveil a breathtaking musical production, “Sounds of the Pearl,” a 55-minute live show that fuses Uganda’s cultural essence with cinematic storytelling.
Starring Walter Ruva as Akena, a curious traveler journeying through Uganda’s kingdoms and ancestral stories, the performance is guided by Mother Pearl (played by Suzan Kerunen) and narrated by Wisdom Keeper Navio, one of Uganda’s most respected hip-hop legends.
The show features:
- Over 40 performers
- Traditional dance and music by the Crane Performers
- Mesmerizing LED projections
- Multi-language narration
All of this creates a cultural showcase highlighting Uganda’s diversity — from the regal Tooro courts to the untamed beauty of Karamoja. - The expo climaxes on May 24th with a grand Music and Cultural Festival featuring top African acts, including:
- Blu 3 (reuniting on stage),
- Winnie Nwagi
- Ssuna Ben
- Aliddeki Brian
- And comedy king Salvado, co-hosting alongside Sheila Gashumba and Sheila Salta.
Also on May 24th, IGC takes the main stage again with two fashion runway shows:
Event Details at a Glance
- 📍 Location: Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo
- 🗓️ Dates: May 21st – 24th, 2025
- 💵 Access: Free entry (May 21–23),
🎟️ Festival Tickets (May 24):- UGX 20,000 (Ordinary)
- UGX 50,000 (VIP)
- Available via www.tagticketing.com
