The lights were on, the music was playing and Uganda’s beauty and tourism hopefuls had gathered for one of the country’s biggest cultural showcases. But for a few poignant moments, the glamour gave way to remembrance.
At the Miss Tourism Uganda 2026 grand finale at Serena Hotel Kampala, contestants from the Tooro sub-region joined the other participants in paying tribute to the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The emotional moment stood in contrast to an evening otherwise defined by glamour, music, fashion and fierce competition. For an event built around showcasing Uganda’s cultural identity and tourism potential to the world, the absence of the Tooro monarch was difficult to ignore.
Once the tribute ended, however, attention returned to the young women who had travelled to Kampala with ambitions of their own.
And when the final results were announced, it was 20-year-old Filfat Mucureezi from Ankole who emerged as Miss Tourism Uganda 2026.
Mucureezi, also referred to as Mucureezi Milfat, impressed the judges throughout the competition, with her confidence and composure particularly evident during the question-and-answer segment. Her performance ultimately gave her the edge over the other finalists and secured her the coveted crown.
Her victory capped a competition that sought to turn Uganda’s geographical and cultural diversity into one of its greatest strengths.
More than 36 women and eight men participated in this year’s competition, representing 12 tourism clusters: Eastern, Ankole, Tooro, Buganda, Kigezi, West Nile, Teso, Northern Uganda, Rwenzori, Karamoja, Bunyoro and the newly introduced Metro cluster.
The competition went beyond the traditional beauty-pageant format, positioning the contestants as young ambassadors for the regions they represented. Their presence on one stage offered a showcase of Uganda’s traditions, attractions, languages and distinct cultural identities.
For Mucureezi, the reward extends beyond the title and the opportunity to promote Uganda’s tourism story.
She will live rent-free throughout her reign in a fully furnished house at Villa Vellar Estate in Bwebajja along Entebbe Road, giving her a substantial benefit as she begins what is expected to be a busy year of representing the country’s tourism sector.
The men also took centre stage during the second edition of Man of Tourism International Uganda, where Prosper Auther Makayi emerged as the winner.
Makayi drew attention during the competition and was later presented with a distinctive white robe and matching hat designed by The Suit’s Republic, giving the men’s segment its own touch of ceremony and style.
The grand finale attracted figures from Uganda’s tourism, cultural and entertainment sectors, including State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, as well as representatives from the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Museums and Monuments department.
Entertainment also formed a major part of the evening, with Jonathan Diva, the Smiles Cultural Troupe and Qwela Band founder Joe Kahirimbanyi adding music and live performances to the cultural showcase.
But beyond the crowns, performances and pageantry, it was the contrast between mourning and celebration that gave this year’s finale much of its character.
The tribute to King Oyo offered a reminder that Uganda’s tourism story is inseparable from its cultural institutions and the people who embody them.
And as Mucureezi walked away with the crown representing Ankole, the evening closed on a broader message: Uganda’s tourism appeal lies not only in its landscapes and wildlife, but also in the many cultures, traditions and identities that continue to define the country.
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