Last week, Kaana ka Mbaata and BET award winner Eddy Kenzo officially commenced his tourism ambassadorial duties in high gear. The singer visited the mighty Queen Elizabeth National Park to create thrilling content along with the Muchachos and Mango Safaris.
https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/09/02/kenzo-named-ugandas-tourism-ambassador/
But as anticipated, this attracted a huge backlash here and there. Of-course, he's already making a few blunders like taking pictures of him instead of focusing on pictures of him but largely showing the breathtaking sceneries before him. This should be so, because it's what he's supposed to sell to us.
With all that happening, many think he doesn't deserve it. But hey, from a perspective of a person who has been the media coordinator for UTB's Tulambule Campaign for the last three years, we've in the past, had several ambassadors like Zari Hassan, Anita Fabiola, Quin Abenakyo, etc, and I can authoritatively apprise you that Eddy Kenzo is 100% the right and better candidate for this job compared any other potential celebrity in Uganda, but unfortunately his appointment comes at a rather wrong time. In other words, the timing is bad. And this is key in all businesses.
First and foremost, marketing is a game of numbers, and Eddy Kenzo's digits are evident. Kenzo is hugely influential among youth in a nation whose population is largely dominated by the youth. Digitally, Eddy is the most followed Ugandan musician who can effortlessly use his numbers to attract people to embrace domestic tourism, and he has also traveled more than any other Ugandan musician has ever done, that means he's equally exposed. Not to forget that 70% of his audience is foreign, so surely he could get countless foreigners flying in to visit our beautiful destinations. No wonder, when he was still Kenya's tourism ambassador, according to KTB, there are some foreigners who used to jet in their country because they thought Eddy Kenzo was Kenyan.
https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/08/18/kenzo-releases-new-song-about-noisemakers-youth-being-misled-by-politicians-video/
An argument could be made Kenzo’s appointment comes at a wrong time. You see, Eddy Kenzo has since last year taken political sides, something which has made him controversial and yet right now the tourism industry doesn't need someone who's controversial.
We are in a political season with inflamed passions. As the tourism industry, we need someone who no matter your political shade, you can identify with. Infact, if I had the mandate, and it was pressing at the moment, I'd choose the world record breaker, Joseph Cheptegi and chip in Eddy Kenzo mid next year when elections are done.
Otherwise, as it stands, let's watch and see how it unfolds.
