KAMPALA – Ankole region has been named the winner of the 2020/2021 Miss Tourism pageant competitions.
This was after Ms Sonia Komugisha 23, a Kyambogo University Student doing Bachelor’s Degree in Textile and Apparel Deisgn was over the weekend crowned Miss Tourism Uganda in a scientific event that was held in Sseguku along Entebbe Road.
Komugisha beat four other contestants to be crowned this year’s Tourism Queen taking the crown from Phiona Kyeru from Busoga region whose reign ended when Komugisha was announced.
The five contestants included Jean Corprise Akullo, Amaniyo Charity, Komugisha Sonia, Agwang Prossy Permah and Atuheire Sheevon.
Unlike the other Miss Tourism events where contestants are gotten from regional searches in the different regions across the country, this year’s was short and precise because of the Covid-19 Pandemic that has since seen most of the events banned to observe the Ministry of Health SOPs to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The organizers of this year’s pageant then decided to select only five girls who were taken for a social boot camp where they were tasked to go online to share their vast knowledge on Uganda’s Tourism.
According to Mr Allan Kanyike the CEO Miss Tourism Uganda, with this year’s theme being Beauty, Brains and Change (BBC), they were looking for a beauty queen that would incorporate all the three attributes in her day to day life.
Kanyike shared that this is ideal in selecting a beauty queen who is not just beautiful but also standing out in knowledge and impact.
He called upon Ugandans to love their country, visit tourism destinations and post photos to show the world how Uganda is endowed.
“In remembrance of Hon Maria Mutagamba who revived the Miss Tourism Pageant in 2013 but unfortunately passed on, the Miss Tourism Board will construct Maria Mutagamba Hospital in Rakai which will be donated to the Government of Uganda. We will also renovate two tourism sites and build a Primary school in Karamoja region, all these will be handed over to the Government of Uganda,” he shared.
The finals that were held at Care Bear in Sseguku were judged by Dr Deborah Freeman and Dr Gregory Freeman of Across the Nations International Ministries (ATNIM).
Dr Deborah who is also a member on the National Executive Board for Miss Tourism promised all the winners a trip to the US.
The winner of Miss Tourism 2020 didn’t receive any prize but will next year represent Uganda in Miss Tourism International and Miss Tourism East Africa which might be hosted in Uganda.
At the same event, the outgoing Queen received the car that was promised to her by the organizers after being crowned Miss Tourism 2019/20 last year.
Ms Phiona Kyeru finally received her car and this adds to the land title that was given to her last year after being crowned.
