IN PICTURES: Karamoja unveils Miss Tourism 2022/2023

KARAMOJA | CULTURE | TOURISM  

It was all about showcasing Karamoja culture, traditional foods, native wear, dance, and style at the grand finale of the unveiling of Miss Tourism Karamoja 2022–2023, where Genevieve Nakoli was declared the winner.

Held in the Joliban Hotel in Moroto town in the Moroto district last weekend, the contestants treated the revelers, the sponsors, and the judges with excitement, taste, and glamour.

The function proved that the Karamojong had immigrated from permittivity and were walking the modernity trail.

Cultural Calabash

The event, which started on a low note, gained a vibe as the seven contestants raised the curtain with their unique dance, to the awe of many.

They then exhibited Karamoja culture, which included the winnowing of sorghum grains on trays made out of small sticks from the jungle and grinding them using the grinding stone, followed by the granary for food storage.

Besides solo singing, the pageants performed group traditional dance, popularly known as “Edonga,” to the excitement of revelers. 

Winner Nakoli being decorated

Other thrilling actions included showcasing Karimojong fittings and innovations, which included unique necklaces and headdresses decorated with shiny beads of different colors, skimpy outfits, animal skins, and finally, the catwalks.

Cultural Gear Calabash

The revelers responded with thunderous clapping, foot stamping, and deafening cheers.

“This is fanatic. These girls have made my day,” a seemingly rich guest from Kampala was overheard commenting.

Winnow

Murmurs commenting that Karamoja is “also” endowed with sweet, hot girls swept through the crowd. 

The judges, who included Vanessa Aluka, Pius Oluka, and Sam Akuaku, the Chief Judge, keenly watched and observed amid jotting down the contestants’ gotten points.

Grinding Millet

Assumpta Ojao, the Project Cluster head, keenly watched the outcomes of her 3 –month mobilization spree.

Winner Nakoli

Towards midnight, the Chief Judge, Sam Akuaku, read out the contestants’ performances, where he declared Genevive Nakoli as the winner.

“I thus declare Genevive Nakholi as Miss Tourism Karamoja 202-2023,” Akuaku said, before the winner reacted, spellbound by the triumph. 

Sing

Consolata Moru was the first runner and Fatuma Nakong, the second runner.

In her speech, the excited Queen said, ” In fact, I didn’t expect to win. It was by God’s grace and I am humbled.”  

Cultural and tourism values

Esther Anyakun, the Nakapiripirit District Woman MP, said that the contest means a lot to the Karamajong, markets the region, and uncovers the untapped tourism potential.

Granary

According to Ojao, the Project Cluster Head, the Queen’s roles include promoting Karamojong culture and tourism, receiving and guiding tourists to destinations, and other respective duties.

“Karamoja is endowed with nature, including the mountains, vegetation, livestock, a lot of minerals, and beautiful girls. Time is now to unleash more of the discovered and undiscovered potential,” Ojao, the former Miss Tourism Karamoja 2018, said.

Winner Nakoli 2

The sponsors included Pepsi, Nile Breweries, Joliban Hotel, Riders Lounge, Kalya Peace Village, Kirikamar Investments and Ateker FM, Darling Uganda, Miss Tourism Uganda, Kayese, and MPs from the Karamoja region.

The function was presided over by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Chairman, Dr. Pantaleone Kasoma, who was the Chief Guest, and Karamoja MPs including Peterken Lochap (Napak).