The 11th edition of the Miss Tourism Uganda beauty pageant was on Wednesday, March 13, launched at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, with a few twists added in from the recent editions. 

Under the theme Tourism and Peace, this year’s winner will drive away with a new car as a grand prize from Darling Uganda as used to be the case when the pageant was resurrected in 2013 and the subsequent years.

This excited guests at the fun-filled launch that was also attended by the State Minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, tourism queen ambassadors and the sector’s stakeholders from various agencies. 

The pageant’s decision to go by the aforementioned theme underscores UN Tourism’s 2024 theme Tourism and Peace that befittingly reminds the world about the importance of peace to tourism. 

"Earth needs peace in order to survive. This applies to every angle ,including wars, pollution, natural disasters and more. When peace and harmony are maintained, things will continue to run smoothly," the organisers said in their statement. 

Mugarra lauded the organisers for their resilience in the face of challenges that beset the whole sector and pledged to continually support the pageant. 

"I thank the ministry and various tourism agencies for giving the pageant support. I have seen three participations so far and I think our Government will continue to support  the pageant. It is not a 100% supported by the Government and that is why I urge other agencies and sponsors to come on board and continue supporting the pageant. This year we shall have to influence most of the places we have presence in across the country to support the pageant,” he said. 

Mugarra urged parents to allow their daughters to participate in the competition.

The State Minister Of Tourism, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, addressing journalists during the Miss Tourism Uganda launch at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. Photo by Ignatius Kamya

At the launch, Darling Uganda’s Pearl Byanjeru revealed a sh80m offer to support the pageant, while Uganda People’s Defence Forces Deputy Chief of Military Cooperation Col. Sam Ntambirwe said the force is ready to provide security to the sector so that peace prevails and gets more tourists in the country. 

The 2024 boot camp will kick off on August 26 at the Uganda Wildlife and Education Centre, Entebbe City, with 36 contestants that will be taken through various classes such as tourism, marketing, personal branding, health and beauty, catwalk and posture, communication, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. 

After one week, 16 ladies will be eliminated and 20 queens will advance as Miss Tourism Uganda 2024 finalists.

The grand finale will be held at the Kampala Serena Hotel on the September 13.