Kabahuma Mackline Akiiki Crowned Miss Tourism Tooro 2026 as Region Celebrates AI, Culture and Tourism

The Tooro region witnessed a spectacular celebration of artificial intelligence (AI), culture and tourism on Friday night as Kabahuma Mackline Akiiki was crowned Miss Tourism Tooro 2026/2027. The colourful pageant attracted contestants and supporters from all seven districts of the region.

Held on July 3, 2026, at Fort Breeze Hotel, the event drew hundreds of spectators who filled the venue long before the competition began. The lively atmosphere was marked by traditional music, dance performances, cultural exhibitions and enthusiastic cheers from supporters who had travelled from across Tooro to witness the annual beauty and tourism contest.

Contestants, who had undergone an intensive boot camp ahead of the competition, impressed both judges and the audience with their confidence, knowledge of tourism, public speaking abilities and commitment to preserving Tooro’s cultural heritage. Throughout the evening, they demonstrated a strong understanding of the region’s tourism potential while showcasing the leadership and advocacy skills acquired during their training.

After hours of intense competition, the pageant reached its climax shortly after midnight when the winners were announced. Kabahuma Mackline Akiiki emerged victorious and was crowned Miss Tourism Tooro 2026/2027. Kebirungi Mellan Amooti was named First Runner-Up, while Kajumba Gorretti Abwoli took the position of Second Runner-Up.

Speaking moments after receiving the crown, an emotional Akiiki pledged to use her reign to champion tourism and cultural conservation across the Tooro sub-region.

“I receive this crown with gratitude and humility. It represents a responsibility to serve my people and promote the beauty, culture and tourism potential of Tooro. During my reign, I will work with communities, tourism stakeholders and fellow young people to showcase what makes our region unique while encouraging the preservation of our rich cultural heritage for future generations,” she said.

She also thanked the organisers, sponsors, fellow contestants and supporters, describing the competition as a life-changing experience that equipped her with knowledge, confidence and leadership skills.

The pageant was widely praised for its organisation and the quality of contestants. Audience members commended the organisers for delivering a memorable event that celebrated not only beauty, but also intellect, culture and community service. Many expressed hope that future editions would attract even larger audiences and increased investment from tourism stakeholders.

Addressing guests after the event, Miss Tourism Uganda Cluster Head for the Tooro Region, Kasifa Aamal, hailed the pageant as a major success. She commended the contestants for demonstrating discipline, confidence and cultural pride throughout the competition.

“This year’s pageant has shown that the young women of Tooro are ready to become ambassadors of our tourism industry. Their passion, knowledge and commitment give us confidence that the future of tourism promotion in this region is bright. We thank everyone who supported this initiative, and we look forward to making next year’s event even bigger and more impactful,” she said.

She added that the overwhelming public turnout reflected a growing appreciation of cultural tourism in the region and reaffirmed the organisers’ commitment to strengthening partnerships with government agencies, cultural institutions and the private sector to enhance tourism development in Tooro.

The successful conclusion of the 2026 pageant left spectators optimistic about the future of the competition. Beyond crowning a beauty queen, the event reinforced the importance of empowering young women as ambassadors of culture and tourism, while showcasing the diverse attractions that position Tooro as one of Uganda’s leading tourism destinations.

As the curtains fell on another successful edition of Miss Tourism Tooro, organisers and residents alike expressed confidence that the pageant will continue to grow as a flagship platform for promoting the region’s heritage, hospitality and tourism potential.