UGANDA celebrates the grand opening of its first Four Points by Sheraton hotel, a landmark achievement for the nation’s burgeoning hospitality sector. Spearheaded by FBW Group, a leading African planning, design, architecture, and engineering team, this multi-million-dollar hotel development is poised to make a significant contribution to Uganda’s ongoing post-pandemic visitor economy recovery.
FBW Group lent its expertise in architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering, and MEP engineering to bring this impressive hotel project in Uganda’s capital to fruition. The inauguration of the Four Points by Sheraton Kampala marks a noteworthy milestone for the country’s thriving hospitality industry.
The hotel boasts a total of 142 guest rooms and suites, offering a range of amenities, including restaurants, bars, a ballroom, meeting rooms, a swimming pool, and a fitness centre.
The official opening ceremony took place earlier this month, coinciding with Uganda’s efforts to attract more visitors from around the world through a new marketing initiative. The ‘Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa’ brand promises travellers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, as outlined by the Uganda Tourism Board.
Recent statistics indicate a positive trend in Uganda’s tourism sector, with visitor numbers surging by 59 percent in 2022, marking a significant rebound post-pandemic. In the preceding year, the country welcomed approximately 814,508 international visitors.
Conveniently located at the base of Kololo Hill, an upscale residential area, and in close proximity to Nakasero, Kampala’s central business district, the newly established Four Points by Sheraton Kampala is just 40 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport.
FBW Group, which operates in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, provided comprehensive design and construction services for the project, encompassing project management, architecture, structural and civil engineering, as well as MEP engineering.
Nigel Tilling, project director at FBW Group, expressed his delight, stating, ‘The newly delivered hotel stands as testament to the professionalism and determination of everyone involved, from the client team and construction crews to the engineers and architects. Four Points by Sheraton Kampala is part of the 31 Marriott International brands and one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world and is sure to make a big impact on business and leisure travellers. It is an impressive sight.’
Four Points by Sheraton is a renowned multinational hotel brand operated by Marriott International Inc., primarily catering to business travellers and conventions. As of June 30, 2020, Marriott managed 291 properties worldwide under the Four Points by Sheraton brand, boasting a total of 53,054 rooms. Additionally, Marriott had 130 planned hotels with an additional 27,342 rooms in the pipeline.
FBW Group has played a pivotal role in advancing Uganda’s visitor economy. The group was responsible for the architecture, project management, and engineering of Kampala’s first boutique hotel, The Emin Pasha, nestled in two acres of tropical gardens in the city centre.
The group’s architects and engineers have also been instrumental in several high-profile signature hotel and leisure projects across East Africa, including the extensive refurbishment of Hotel Umubano in Kigali, Rwanda, the design of bespoke boutique lodges in Rwanda and Kenya, and the creation of a major internationally branded hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
Stuart Harley, the group’s chief operating officer, emphasised, ‘The growth in hotel investment in Kampala and other cities in East Africa has mirrored the development of the visitor economy, and we’re proud of the part we’ve played in some key developments, including this latest Four Points by Sheraton development. The hotel projects we have been involved in have played their part in raising standards and delivering quality experiences for visitors to Uganda as well as helping the growth of the tourism sector, which is now beginning to bounce back from the impact of Covid.’
FBW Group continues to play a significant role in the region’s construction and development sector, actively contributing to high-profile infrastructure projects.