Kagoya crowned Miss Tourism Busoga

Ann Lisa Kagoya, 20, has been crowned Miss Tourism Busoga 2024/2025 after beating 13 other contestants.

Kagoya was crowned on Saturday, August 17, 2024, by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga, who was flanked by Busoga Kingdom’s tourism minister Hellen Namutamba during the Kagulu Rock Climbing Challenge.

Fourteen contestants turned up for the pageant on Friday night after being selected from the 11 chiefdoms that make up Busoga Kingdom, with Kagoya, from the Abaise Mukuve clan and a fresher at Kyambogo University, walking away with the crown.

Kagoya emerged winner following a question-and-answer session which she answered well.

Jane Martha Kasuswa, 21, from Bunha chiefdom and Atika Shakira Nassimbwa, 20, from Butembe chiefdom were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Fortunate Anita Menya from Bugweri was selected as Miss Popularity.

Kagoya could not hide her tears of joy as they rolled down her cheeks amidst ululation from the crowd. Kagoya, Kasuswa and Nassimbwa also posed for photographs with Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV, Prince Arnold Nadiope, Kadaga and Namutamba.  

Although she did not get time to talk to the audience, Kagoya in an earlier interview said she would promote Busoga’s old and new tourism sites and Uganda’s hidden treasure.

“We have wonderful tourist sites including those new ones that were unveiled by Mama Kadaga, like Isenda Hill, Mawuta Hill, Fort Luba Thurston, Namakoko Landing site, Kikalu and Namagero cultural site, among others, which I hope to promote and market — not forgetting the old sites like Kagulu Hill in Buyende, Source of the Nile in Jinja and Bishop Hannington Memorial site in Mayuge among others,” Kagoya said.

Agatha Naigaga from Kigulu was appointed ambassador Itanda falls, while Mary Namaganda from Bunha was appointed Ambassador Kaynela Agro Tourism Farm.

Thousands of residents in Kagulu turned up to witness the beauty pageant on August 16 and crowning on August 17, which was conducted by the Busoga Kingdom tourism ministry.

The judges included Vision Group’s Kenneth Oduka, MJ Safaris Tour Company managing director James Mwere, former Miss Tourism Busoga 2023/2024 Mercy Tenywa and Queen Winnie Kasoga.

While at the same event, Tracy Asaba and Derrick Kaawo were crowned Miss and Mr Tik Tok Busoga.

Artiste Andrew Kitimbo aka Shon Wiz was crowned Busoga Kingdom’s tourism ambassador in the presence of Kyabazinga. 

The crowning was done by Kadaga who also handed over gifts to them which included a Map of Busoga and Portrait of Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV.  

Sponsors of the event included, Vision Group, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Madhvani Group, Pepsi, Uganda Red Cross, Nile Breweries Ltd, Hill Water, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Kaliro Solar and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) among others.