By Brian Mugenyi
_mugenyijj@gmail.com_
KAMPALA – History has been made as 11 contestants gear up for the Miss Tourism East Africa pageant to be held at Marriott Hotel in Kampala.
On Sunday, the contestants entered intensive training under the stewardship of Mr. Allan Kanyike, the Director of Miss Tourism East Africa in Uganda.
The group is led by Uganda’s Babra Tushabe and includes contestants from across the region. South Sudan’s representatives include Kurita Rogan and Bahata Joyce, among others. By press time, Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan had all been represented.
According to Mr. Kanyike, who started as a Miss Tourism contestant and is now an international trainer, this year’s competition is more than just beauty.
“This is a Beauty with Purpose competition. It’s not only about beautiful girls, but about beauty with brains — girls who will be ambassadors of change in their communities,” he said.
The pageant is being positioned as a global platform to market culture, beauty and community transformation.
“I want to participate in Miss Tourism because I want to help orphans in South Sudan through the platform I will get from this event,” said South Sudan contestant Rygan Kurita.
Kurita, a journalist passionate about environment and tourism, said early marriages and a high number of orphans remain major challenges in South Sudan. She hopes to use the platform to inspire young girls in her community.
The five-star Marriott Hotel has been turned into a training centre for the pageant, with early preparations already attracting sponsors and investors.
Mr. Kanyike said the training is designed to build self-esteem, confidence and fitness for the competition.
“The girls are carrying the flags of their countries on their backs. We are tipping them to be confident and to ensure their cultures and countries are well represented,” he said.
The contestants, mostly in their early 20s, were taken through drills aimed at building confidence and cultural awareness.
The grand finale is expected to attract thousands and will be attended by reigning Miss Tourism title holders from different countries. Tickets are available at Marriott Hotel and at the Federation of Uganda Social Media Influencers offices in Munyonyo, next to Jahaz, under Mr. Edison Kirabira.
“Miss Tourism East Africa is a Beauty with Purpose event for this year,” Kanyike added.
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