Organised annually by the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board, the pageant brings together contestants representing the kingdom’s counties (Masaza) to promote Buganda’s cultural heritage, tourism and traditions.
The launch ceremony was officiated by the Kingdom’s Minister for Information and Mobilisation and Government Spokesperson, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, who represented the Minister for Tourism, Anthony Wamala.
Addressing the contestants, Kazibwe said the competition is about more than physical appearance, urging participants to become knowledgeable ambassadors of Buganda’s history, culture and tourism.
“Being Miss Tourism is not only about physical beauty. We also consider many other qualities. You must be intelligent and knowledgeable. You should be able to answer questions confidently, and even knowing how to cook is important because one day you may get married. How will a man marry you if you cannot cook? That is something you should take seriously,” Kazibwe said.
He encouraged the contestants to study Buganda’s history and familiarise themselves with the kingdom’s tourism attractions so they can effectively promote them.
“Buganda has a rich and extensive history. The Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board has a library with books about the kingdom’s origins and heritage. We also have many tourism sites, including Kabaka’s Lake. You should learn about all these places because we want you to promote our heritage, increase its visibility and create more opportunities,” he added.
The Chairperson of the Buganda Council of Clan Heads, Omutaka Augustine Kizito Mutumba, congratulated the contestants on reaching the final stage of the competition and encouraged them to take pride in their cultural identity while aspiring to compete on international platforms.
“Take pride in your culture because it is the culture God created you in. He also gave us our language, Luganda, and we should cherish it. As Miss Tourism contestants, you have a responsibility to help preserve and promote our language, culture, traditions and values,” Mutumba said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board, Najibu Nsubuga, said the contestants were selected through a rigorous screening process, with particular focus on institutions of higher learning, including those owned by the Kingdom.
He said the process was designed to ensure that only qualified contestants progressed to the final stage of the competition.
The competition’s main sponsor, Peter Muwanguzi, Chief Executive Officer of New Destiny Property Services, said he was motivated to support the initiative because of its contribution to promoting tourism and cultural heritage in Uganda.
Muwanguzi announced that the winner of the 2026 Miss Tourism Buganda crown will receive a titled piece of land, adding that the property has already been surveyed and is ready for transfer.
The contestants will spend more than two weeks in a residential boot camp, where they will receive mentorship and training in leadership, culture, tourism promotion and other areas before the grand finale.
The launch was held at the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board offices and was attended by the First Deputy Katikkiro, Moses Tusuubira Nyombi, heads of Buganda Kingdom institutions, former Miss Tourism Buganda queens, contestants and invited guests.