Vibian Silivano takes Miss Tourism West Nile 2017

The search for this year's Miss Tourism crown is underway and already four clusters have found their queens to represent them on the national platform in October.

West Nile region crowned Vibian Silivano, 23, last Saturday at Heritage Courts hotel in Arua district.

 
She beat six other girls to the tiara on the chilly night that had been dampened by the heavy afternoon rain.

The tall dark girl was eloquent during the question-and-answer session, and was much more composed every time she took to the runway to showcase her evening and creative outfits.

 
She was followed by Gertrude Jokudu, 23, and Shamim Bako, 20, in the first and second runner-ups positions respectively.

The night was also marked with a glowing and touching tribute to the former tourism minister Maria Mutagamba (RIP), who resurrected this pageant four years ago.

Outgoing Miss Tourism queen Eldad Epiaka Ondongkara led that solemn moment through reading out a poem celebrating the late Mutagamba's efforts in the tourism industry.

 
That was before she handed over the West Nile crown to Vibian late in the night.

This year saw a slight improvement in the quality of girls presented for the competition for they were enthusiastic, articulate and quite composed.

The only trouble still lingering is taking on judges during the question-and-answer session. They just can't get correct answers to questions about tourism.

 
On the night, a contestant dropped out at the last minute due to health constraints.

Entertainment on the night came from a myriad of Arua's leading singers. Next search is in Kigezi region.