Model jets in to promote Uganda tourism

By Solomon Oleny

She is as sexy as goddess, as fun as a subtle comedian and, as intelligent as an African owl in labour. Better yet, that's only half the story. She on Tuesday set foot in the country ahead of her 21-day visit around its outstanding tourism attractions in a bid to promote Uganda as a prime tourism destination.

To the initiated, I am talking about Marlina Moreno, 24. Better known for having a honeyed voice that makes listeners want to listen to the radio forever, Marlina is Los-Angeles-based model, TV host also former National Football League [NFL] cheerleader, model for NIKE, Samsung, Canon, Virgin Atlantic and Siemens.

She will profile Uganda’s major tourism attractions and produce a documentary to be aired to millions of Americans through her travel platforms Examiner.Com, Huffingtonpost.com and WhenInManila.com as well as her travel blog BrunetteAbroad.com.

To be exact, the components of the media campaign according to her, will include a combination of travel articles and videos to be featured on at least two top lifestyle and travel websites as well as the filming of an eco-travel show pilot as part of a travel series pitch about Africa.

"The series will follow my work as a travel writer and film maker and highlight my transition from NFL Cheerleader, model and television host to wildlife conservationist and eco-adventurer exploring all that Uganda in particular and Africa in general has to offer," she says.

John Ssempebwa the deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board noted that the key activity during the supermodel's visit will be a trek up the mountains of the moon, the world's highest range of mountains named Mountains of the Moon around 1500 A.D. This will kick off on Saturday January 17.

Other places to be explored include Murchison falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Source of the Nile among others.

Ssempebwa further confirmed Uganda Tourism Boards partnership with Rwenzori Mountaineering Services-an organization that provides trekking services and Events 256 a Ugandan events outfit to enable Ugandans and all persons resident in Uganda to climb the mountain with the supermodel.