West Nile finds Miss Tourism

Jul 21, 2016

It was the first time the 23-year-old beauty who graduated from India's Bangalore University participated in a beauty pageant but it was not really easy for her.

A recent graduate of B.Com Eldad Epiaka Odongkara proved you can have both brains and beauty after taking the tiara at this year's Miss Tourism West Nile region held at Heritage Hotel, in Arua district, Saturday night.

The eight girls looked as ready as ever as they gave one final push in the hope of being crowned this year's West Nile queen but it had to be Odongkara that pulled it off.

It was the first time the 23-year-old beauty who graduated from India's Bangalore University participated in a beauty pageant but it was not really easy for her.

 
Firstly, a few minutes to the event, a heart-jerking romour that the judges had pre-determined their winner whirled in the camp and ruffled up some girls. Four of them even threatened to abandon the pageant. That delayed the start of the event until judges themselves went to the girls and convinced them no one had been chosen yet.

Indeed they were convinced it was just a romour for the palpable liveliness that had engulfed the camp was felt again. But time was not on anyone's side and the show kicked off with the eight contestants showcasing their evening gowns, creative wears and catwalks.

Odongkara oozed confidence in all three stages and, during question-and-answer session, only failed a simple question, at least to everyone who has followed the region's sports success in Odumparaka football team.

 
She just didn't have an idea what team that was. She was followed by Alice Tiperu, 24, and Judith Lenia, 21, in first and second runner-ups position respectively.

Odongkara said she joined the pageant because of her passion for tourism, "It is my first time in the pageant but I felt I had to be part of the tourism circles in my region because I just love traveling. I hope to achieve all my targets in the region in my reign," she said.

 

She became the second queen from the region succeeding Sheila Obia. The three of them automatically join the Miss Tourim Uganda final race to be held September 30.

One of the highlights in their boot camp was to visit the Miria-Adope falls, a hidden treasure tucked away in the rocks of Maracha district.

 
The crowd was lovely and lively. They cheered their girls, especially those from Maracha side of Arua. It was a fair night. Next stop is in Busoga region.

 

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