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Up close with Miss Tourism [Daily Monitor, The (Uganda)](Daily Monitor, The (Uganda) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) There is something about the "Miss" business in Uganda. Miss Uganda, Miss University, Miss that and this, Miss Tourism, name it. Is it us or the organisers? What happened to the pomp, flair and excitement it attracted years ago? The days of the oomph and pomp of the Sylvia Oworis of this world?Let us say this: If you met Harriet Barbara Nakitto in a restaurant in town, the light-skinned, medium height lass will pass for any other university girl sipping a soda, visibly stuck and bored stiff with life. That spark eludes you, the silent energy of a would be celebrity and face of the country. Is it perhaps sheer humility? Let us see. Crowned Uganda's Miss Tourism in January, this 22-year-old undergraduate student of Human Resource Management at Ndejje University beat over 60 other contestants to scoop the Miss Friendship accolade at the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia. This is one of the several awards given under the major Miss Tourism International honour, which was overall won by Miss Philippines."I could have chosen to go for Miss Uganda, which took place before the tourism contest but I settled for tourism because I want to be the face of my country's tourism," she says in a shaky, Kiganda accent. She adds: "Miss Tourism is all about brains and not looks. We had to do a lot of research and prove we know about tourism in Uganda and the world. We even went to other countries." And yet, from a two-hour interaction, she struggles to impress upon any logical interviewer that indeed this is a brain contest. Her responses will take heavy and dedicated editing to make logical flow and often times throughout the interview, the manager has to chip in to save the day."I love the green, the lakes, the soil, the parks," is all she calls Uganda's tourism jewel. Has she heard of some of Uganda's hidden tourism gold mines in the least publicised corners of this country? The Nyero Rock Paintings, Amabere ga Nyinamwiru, Fort Patiko? "No," is the apt response. What does she think of our politics, with the build up to 2016 as tourism and politics cannot be divorced? "Funny, is all I can say," and boy does she shyly smiles thereafter, adding, "It is interesting." And the biggest challenge facing our tourism sector? "Ugandans don't love domestic tourism, you find them struggling for visas to Spain and America." Never mind the bad roads to parks, or small marketing budget. So, what does Nakitto have in the pipeline? "I want to promote wildlife clubs in schools to encourage tourism." Reminded that these already exist, she says, "I want to create more and teach them to have clean compounds." Nakitto, by the way, beat more than 20 others in the ring to the crown. Her role as she understands itAll in all, her role as she understands it is; "I'm the spokesperson of tourism. I am there to interest people in domestic tourism and let them know Uganda is beautiful. They should embrace tourism instead of crying about poverty." Emerging Miss Friendship"Miss Friendship shows that Uganda is the friendliest country, I want to interest the youth to be friendly to attract tourists to Uganda. I won it because I interacted during the Miss Tourism International pageant unlike the other girls who remained in their circles. I'm bringing them late this year to appreciate Uganda's beauty," she says. If fairness be the rule, then it shall go without saying that Nakitto's passion, zeal and energy, albeit betrayed by her communication and expression of mind, will take her places. But, how bright her star shines in a world where it takes wits and striking looks to win favour will be proven with time. Tit bitsIn my free time I read books on Uganda's tourism, (although even a single title eludes her). Love life I'm single, not searching and very contented till God wants otherwise. Five years to come I will be deeply engaged in tourism promotion like my hero Amos Wekesa. I really want to be out there and show people Uganda is the best. Favorite food: MatookeMovies: I read books, I don't watch moviesBest Music: All types of music. I can't judge and say I love hip hop, RnB or reggaeRomantic fantasy: Sorry, I don't move into that world.Stuck in the desert, I would carry: My shoes, clothes, bag and camera.On politics: I won't say anything because everyone has their own views. Parting shots: My message to fellow Ugandans is "let us love our country. Be interested and travel around. It is the most beautiful nation". (c) 2014 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company |