UAE’s Aleph enters Uganda with deal to run two hotels

Under the deal, the company will run Masheda Palms in Buyala and A’lure Hotel & Suites in Kampala.

Aleph Hospitality said its portfolio now stretches across six countries on the African continent.

Bani Haddad, founder and managing director of Aleph Hospitality said: “I am personally very excited to start operations in Uganda. This is a country that leaves an everlasting impression on visitors, a country with breath-taking scenery, exotic wildlife, kind-hearted people and cultural diversity.

“By welcoming Masheda Palms and A’lure Hotel & Suites to the Aleph family, we promise to share our regional knowledge and international best practices to help them reach their full potential and, at the same time, support the rebuilding of the tourism sector in Uganda.”

The timing coincides with the Uganda Tourism Board’s launch of its new marketing strategy called Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa.

The country is focusing on rebuilding the tourism sector after the impact of the pandemic.

Uganda is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and its landscape includes the immense Lake Victoria, birthplace of the river Nile and the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, sanctuary to the world’s last mountain gorillas.

Sherinah Ainembabazi, director of Masheda Palms Kamala Limited, owner of both properties, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Aleph Hospitality as the leading independent hotel management company in the market. The team’s extensive hotel management expertise, proven track record in Africa, and profound knowledge of the industry here in the region, will undoubtedly be a fantastic asset to our properties and we look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation.”

Aleph Hospitality, which has targeted 50 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2026, manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently branded hotels.