The Kampala Serena Hotel grand finale honoured the late King Oyo of Tooro even as it crowned a new generation of tourism ambassadors, part of the Ministry’s build-up to World Tourism Day.
Filfat Mucureezi, representing the Ankole sub-region, was crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2026 at the pageant’s grand finale held on 4th September at Kampala Serena Hotel, one of the flagship build-up activities on the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities’ road to World Tourism Day. The 20-year-old emerged from a field of more than 36 women and eight men representing 12 tourism clusters, edging out her competitors with a standout performance during the question-and-answer segment of the competition.
Prosper Auther Makayi was named Man of Tourism International King 2026, while Mucureezi, who also picked up the Miss Talent award, is set to use her reign to champion artificial intelligence skills among young Ugandans alongside her core mandate of promoting the country’s tourism, culture and natural heritage, a pairing organisers say reflects this year’s pageant theme, “AI, Culture and Tourism.”
This year’s finale carried an emotional undertone, opening with a tribute to the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on 27th August in Dallas, Texas. Contestants representing the Tooro sub-region joined the rest of the finalists in honouring the monarch’s legacy in promoting Tooro’s cultural heritage and tourism attractions, before the evening’s attention turned to the competition itself.
As part of her prize package, Mucureezi will spend her reign living rent-free in a fully furnished house at Villa Vellar Estate in Bwebajja along Entebbe Road, a departure from the vehicle prizes that have traditionally accompanied the crown. Beyond accommodation, she is expected to take up opportunities in tourism campaigns, cultural promotion and conservation initiatives over the coming year.
The finale attracted senior tourism and cultural leadership, including Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, alongside representatives of the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Department of Museums and Monuments represented by the Commissioner in charge, Dr Jackline Nyirachiza Besigye.
For the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, the pageant continues to serve as one of the sector’s most visible platforms for engaging young Ugandans directly in destination promotion, ahead of the national World Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale City on 27th September.