The sound of drums reverberated through Bulange, Mengo in Kampala as the Miss Tourism Buganda search was inaugurated on February 22, 2024.

The pupils of Gala Junior from Mawokota, exuding youthful exuberance, sang in praise of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, setting an energetic tone for the event.

Attaining the pinnacle of Miss Buganda is no mean feat, as articulated by the outgoing Miss Tourism Buganda, Vanessa Nabakungulu, in an interview.

"I had to confront stage fright and hone my spoken Luganda. I have transformed into a veritable encyclopedia of Central Uganda. I now know the intricacies of our tourist attractions and can prepare luwombo just as our grandmothers did before independence," mused Nabakungulu about her journey.

Former Miss Tourism Buganda contestant Josephine Namaganda also reflected on her times.

“It was a turning point in my life. Suddenly, all were wonders and newfound skills. I used to marvel at how Nankasa dancers effortlessly spun their waists on the dance floor, seamlessly gliding on the grass with apparent ease. Today, I can do it and make onlookers believe I have a pelvis made of rubber bones. I harbour no regrets about contesting because it has allowed me to meet an array of people I might never have known and explore places," she recounted.

During the launch, Anthony Wamala, the minister of tourism in Buganda Kingdom, urged parents to encourage their daughters to participate in the Miss Tourism contest.

According to Wamala, participating in the contest not only boosts confidence and provides exposure, but also offers substantial rewards.

"This time around, the winner will return home driving a car worth sh24m, accompanied by invaluable knowledge. While people from around the world pay millions to visit Uganda and experience its people and places, contestants will enjoy the privilege of being dressed, fed, and pampered, all free of charge," he said.

Wamala assured that contestants would depart with a profound sense of pride in their roots, culture, food, dress, and language.

"The Buganda Miss Tourism contest stands not just as a competition, but as a transformative experience that enriches the lives of its participants in myriad ways,” he emphasised.

A wave of sponsors, spearheaded by the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, are lining up to support the Buganda Miss Tourism contest, Albert Kasozi, the chair of Buganda Heritage Board, announced with confidence.

 "We have received a generous cheque amounting to sh63m along with a myriad of services, including dressing, hair styling, accommodation, feeding, and transportation, among others," he said.

The robust support from these sponsors underscores the commitment to making the Buganda Miss Tourism contest a truly enriching and memorable experience for all participants.