Ankole’s 20-year-old Filfat Mucureezi has been crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2026 at a colourful grand finale that also featured an emotional tribute to the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The pageant, which brought together young people from across the country, paused to honour King Oyo, who died on August 27, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, United States.
Contestants from the Tooro sub-region joined other participants in paying tribute to the former monarch, whose contribution to Uganda’s tourism and cultural heritage was widely recognised.
King Oyo was often associated with the promotion of Tooro’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential, making his death particularly significant to many people in the tourism sector.
The tribute became one of the night’s most moving moments before attention returned to the competition, where Mucureezi emerged victorious after impressing the judges, particularly during the question-and-answer segment.
She was crowned after competing against contestants representing Uganda’s various tourism clusters.
More than 36 young women and eight men participated in this year’s pageant, representing 12 clusters — Eastern, Ankole, Tooro, Buganda, Kigezi, West Nile, Teso, Northern Uganda, Rwenzori, Karamoja, Bunyoro and the newly introduced Metro cluster.
Mucureezi’s prize package includes a fully furnished house at Villa Vellar Estate in Bwebajja along Entebbe Road, where she will stay rent-free.
The grand finale attracted several personalities from Uganda’s tourism and entertainment sectors, including State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, representatives of the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Museums and Monuments department.
Uganda Tourism Association president Yogi Birigwa also attended the event, alongside entertainers such as veteran actor Sam Bagenda, popularly known as Dr Bbosa, and Andrew Benon Kibuuka.
The event also featured the second edition of Man of Tourism International Uganda, with Prosper Auther Makayi emerging as the winner.
Makayi won over the audience during the competition before receiving his title in a white robe and hat designed by The Suit’s Republic fashion house.
The evening was further livened up by musical and cultural performances from Jonathan Diva, Smiles Cultural Troupe and Qwela Band founder Joe Kahirimbanyi.
Beyond the crowns and glamour, organisers said the pageant was designed to showcase Uganda’s cultural diversity and tourism attractions by bringing together contestants from different parts of the country.
This year’s finale, however, carried an added emotional weight as the tribute to King Oyo highlighted the role cultural leaders play in preserving and promoting Uganda’s heritage and tourism identity.
