Business 22 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Leah Waibi Transforms Jinja Family Home into Booming 3 Brothers’ Restcourts Homestay
57-year-old hotelier Leah Harriet Waibi converted her oversized six-bedroom residence in Jinja into a serene bed and breakfast during the Covid-19 lockdown, growing it into a 16-room retreat focused on relaxation. Drawing on three decades of hospitality experience, she prioritizes calm gardens, family-run operations, and local partnerships over typical hotel amenities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/homes-and-property/how-waibi-turned-family-home-into-a-thriving-bed-and-breakfast-facility-5432004
Leah Harriet Waibi, a 57-year-old veteran hotelier, faced an empty six-bedroom house in Jinja during the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of letting it sit idle, she reinvented it as 3 Brothers’ Restcourts, a homestay named after her three sons.
Located just outside Jinja City’s hustle, the property welcomes guests with a shaded wooden pergola, lush gardens featuring soursop and passion fruit, and free-roaming dogs and chickens. Waibi designed it for rejuvenation, avoiding noisy bars or pools in favor of peaceful communal spaces.
Leveraging her 30 years in hospitality, she upgraded the rooms to hotel standards while keeping a homey feel. Launched in August 2022, it quickly expanded from six to 16 rooms by converting an annex and adding a cottage, all without losing its tranquil essence.
The business charges Shs100,000 per night for bed and breakfast, attracting 20-25 guests monthly, mostly foreign tourists staying three to four nights. Waibi partners with local guides for adventures, boosting the community economy, and markets via social media, Booking.com, and referrals.
Challenges include managing guest expectations around simple facilities like mixed toilet types, but clear communication helps. Family handles operations, keeping it personal and cost-effective.
Looking ahead, Waibi plans a second branch in Bugembe, refining her thriving model that proves anyone with skills can succeed in homestays.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)