Miss Tourism pays tribute to King Oyo as Mucureezi takes crown

What the report says

The Miss Tourism Uganda grand finale in Kampala took on a reflective tone as contestants, guests and tourism officials paid tribute to the late Tooro monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. According to The Observer, the king died on August 27 in Dallas, Texas, and his death was widely felt in Uganda’s tourism and cultural circles because of his public role in promoting heritage and destinations linked to Tooro.

Amid the tribute, 20-year-old Milfat Mucureezi from Ankole was crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2026. The Observer reported that she stood out in the question-and-answer rounds and won after competing with contestants from tourism clusters across the country. More than 36 young women and eight men participated, representing regions including Eastern, Ankole, Tooro, Buganda, Kigezi, West Nile, Teso, Northern Uganda, Rwenzori, Karamoja, Bunyoro and the new Metro cluster.

The event also drew officials from the tourism sector, including State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Museums and Monuments department. Uganda Tourism Association president Yogi Birigwa and entertainers such as Sam Bagenda and Andrew Benon Kibuuka were also present. The evening included the second edition of Man of Tourism International Uganda, which was won by Prosper Auther Makayi.

The pageant is part of broader efforts to market Uganda’s tourism products through youth ambassadors, and Mucureezi is set to receive a furnished house in Bwebajja, near Entebbe Road, as part of her prize.