Susan Kahunde,22, has emerged as the winner of this year’s Miss Tourism beauty pageant which took place on Saturday at Kampala Serena Hotel.
Kahunde who beat 26 other contestants to win the crown hails from Tooro sub-region and holds a certificate in midwifery from Tumu Medical Institute.
The midwife takes over tourism duties from last year’s winner, Sonia Komugisha, 25.
This year’s 1st runner-up is Phiona Opia,22, from West Nile who holds a diploma in Agri-Business Management from Bukalasa Agricultural college. The 2nd runner-up is Rashidah Namukwaya, 21 from Buganda, and a student pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration from Makerere University Business School.
The event officially started at about 2 pm with a smaller audience in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb COVID-19.
The event started with an opening dance from the contestants, who later showcased their creative costumes. The question and answer session followed until the numbers were reduced to the final three.
Ms. Kahunde stood out because of the way she responded to the questions. She answered questions related to the pandemic and the impact of social media on the tourism sector.
” Social media has enabled the country to continue marketing the tourism sector even in the pandemic,” Kahunde said.
Unlike the previous winners, Kahunde didn’t walk away with a car among her prizes.
According to Allan Kanyike Bwete, the CEO of Miss Tourism Uganda, the reason is partly because of limited sponsors of the event for this year.
” This year’s Miss Tourism winner does not go home with a car. Regardless, there will be cars readily available to ease her movements while doing her work throughout the country,” Bwete said.
Ms Kahunde will be expected to grace different tourism events during her reign. She will also represent the country at the Miss Tourism International finale in Malaysia in December.
Miss Tourism is a private initiative organized by the Miss Tourism foundation to ensure conservation of tourist sites in Uganda.
