By Drake Nyamugabwa
Phiona Bridget Kyeru 22, an Accountant from Busoga region was crowned new Miss Tourism Uganda 2019/20,beating 24 contestants at the Grand finale held at Serena Hotel, Kampala on Friday, October 4 with Premah Prossy Agwang first runner up while Jean Coprise Akullo emerged 2nd runner up. Kyeru also walked away with a land title from Seema Properties and a white Noah Car from Pemba Sports Africa.
Other titles that were won included Miss Talent, Miss Sports, Miss Beach Beauty, Miss Popularity, Miss Congeniality, Miss Personality, Miss Conservation, Face of Breeze Serenity and Miss Photogenic.
The Guest of Honour, James Lutalo, Director Tourism and Antiquities, who represented, Minister of Tourism Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, urged the winners not to stop at the pageant but continue to promote tourism and inspire communities.
“I welcome you to the 7th edition of Miss Tourism Uganda. This is a public good that is promoted by the private sector and I really appreciate those that have invested in accommodation tourism. The sector revolves on product market, product diversification and,” he said.
“We encourage those that have not won to continue promoting Uganda and the request winners to be a representative of Uganda do community work and aspire for bigger challenges,” he added.
Clare Mugabi, Marketing Manager at Uganda Tourism Board who were among the sponsors said that as a government body mandated to promote tourism, will go continue supporting such initiatives as Miss Tourism as result areas under UTB promotional strategies. Urging the winners to be ambassadors of Uganda everywhere.
“We pledge full support both financially nad in-kind as we hope to continues supporting this initiative. The winners should be influencers to tell the beautiful story of the diverse culture and tourism products in Uganda” she said
A tribute to the went out to the late Hon .Dr. Miriam Mutagamba , the former Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities reviving Miss Tourism pageant after along spell.
The Miss Tourism event attracted sponsors including Uganda Tourism Board, Humura Safaris, Fenon Events, Breeze Serenity, Sema properties, Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities and Victoria University among others.
Phiona Bridget Kyeru (Winner)The 22-year-old beauty hails from Iganga District located in Busoga Region. Ms Kyeru works with Reign Ads in Kamwokya as an Assistant Accountant and hopes to graduate in December with a diploma in Cooperatives and Business Administration from Uganda Cooperative College from Tororo.
Agwang (1st Runner-up) is an 18-year-old sharp-witted student at YMCA pursing a certificate in Business Administration from Teso Region.
Akullo (2nd Runner-up) is a second year student at Kyambogo University, aged 19 pursuing a Bachelor in Interior Designs and Landscape Architecture hailing from Karamoja.
EAST AFRICA BUSINESS PORTAL 