Miss Tourism 2022 Sydney Nabulya (third left) alongside other regional queens at the Tooro Kingdom palace during the ExploreWest campaign in May. PHOTO | COURTSEY
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, regional Miss Tourism queens entered a residential camp at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC).
The queens, representing 12 regions from across the country, are preparing for the Miss Tourism Grand Finale due September 9, 2023 at Kampala Serena Hotel where one of them will replace 20-year-old Sydney Nabulya.
Although most are eager to become the next Miss Tourism Uganda (MTU), some entered camp sceptical following the decrowning and eventual dismissal of last year’s second runners up Denise Ayebare.
Ayebare is the former Miss Tourism Kigezi.
According to a letter dated July 31, 2023 to Ms Ayebare – signed by management – the cancellation was based on grounds of absentia in all the pageantry activities which led to breaching the contract agreement.
“Under Clause 1 of the agreement, you undertook to be readily available and willing to offer your services and presence in any functions, events, public appearances and other promotional activities requested by MTU,” the letter which was circulated on social media, reads in part.
“Following our notice of the breach on 5th January 2023, we have hardly seen your involvement in Miss Tourism activities, despite several verbal invitations to do so, which contravenes contract clause 1 of the contestant’s agreement.”