September 18, 2026
At Quality Management Services Ltd (QMS), we have always believed that business growth is not only about what you know and what you can deliver—it is also about the relationships you build and the doors those relationships can open.
Recently, I had the opportunity, together with fellow UACII Board members, to participate in a strategic meeting with the CEO of Uganda Tourism Board, Mrs. Julia Kaggwa, and the Head of Uganda Convention Bureau, Ms. Tukeikiriza Mellon.
Our discussions focused on the strategic road map for UACII and Uganda’s participation in international industry platforms such as IBTM, ICCA and SITE, with a shared interest in positioning Uganda as a leading MICE destination in Africa.
For me, this engagement goes beyond the meeting itself.
What does this mean for QMS?
QMS operates at the intersection of events, training, people and business development. As Uganda’s MICE industry grows, there are opportunities for companies like QMS to contribute to that growth through professional event management, training and capacity building.
The engagement opens possibilities for:
- Bigger and more complex events where QMS can bring its event management experience and expertise.
- Training and capacity-building opportunities for PCOs and other professionals in the MICE sector.
- Greater collaboration among industry players to strengthen professional standards and service quality.
- Exposure to international MICE networks and opportunities.
- Partnerships that can create opportunities not only for QMS, but for the wider Ugandan business community.
The power of networks in business
One lesson I have learnt over more than two decades of entrepreneurship is that you cannot build a sustainable business in isolation.
Networks introduce you to people, ideas, markets, knowledge and opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach.
Sometimes, a conversation today does not produce an immediate contract. But it can lead to an introduction, a partnership, a training opportunity, a new client or an invitation to a platform that changes the trajectory of your business.
That is why I believe entrepreneurs should deliberately build relationships before they need them.
Attend industry meetings. Join professional associations. Participate in sector discussions. Share your expertise. Learn from others. Introduce people to each other. And, importantly, look for ways to add value to your network rather than only asking what you can get from it.
Building Uganda’s MICE industry together
The discussions around positioning Uganda as a leading MICE destination are exciting because the opportunity is bigger than any one organisation.
Government agencies, professional associations, PCOs, hotels, venues, destination management companies, trainers, technology providers and other service providers all have a role to play.
At QMS, we see ourselves as part of that ecosystem.
Our role is to continue driving excellence, delivering success and building the capacity of people and organisations so that as Uganda attracts more conferences, exhibitions, meetings and events, we are ready to deliver experiences that meet international standards.
Strategic meetings such as this remind me that relationships are not a side activity in business—they are part of the business strategy.
The right network can open a door.
But it is what you bring through that door—your competence, professionalism, integrity and willingness to collaborate—that determines what happens next.
Keep building your network. Keep adding value. Keep opening doors for others. You never know which connection will create the next big opportunity.