Abenakyo Cancels Kidepo Trip as Parliament Pushes for Her Remuneration

Reigning Miss World Africa, Quiin Abenakyo has suspended her trip as tourism goodwill ambassador to Eastern Uganda and Kidepo Valley National Park attributing it to her health condition.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Abenakyo was scheduled to set off for the trip on Sunday January 27 as the official Goodwill Tourism Ambassador, a role she assumed after making it to Top 3 in the Miss World Competition in China and subsequently being crowned Miss World Africa.

Abenakyo who doubles as the reigning Miss Uganda could not continue on the planned trip after developing tooth problem and is undergoing medication as revealed by Brenda Nanyonjo, the Head of Miss Uganda Foundation.

“Quiin Abenakyo will not be going to Eastern Uganda as earlier planned because she is not feeling well, she has a tooth problem and is undergoing medication. This means that the planned trip to Eastern Uganda /Kidepo Valley National Park is not on till such a time when she will feel better,” Nanyonjo said.

However, the call off of the trip to Kidepo comes days after Parliament paid tribute to Abenakyo for her outstanding victory and went on to demand for a clear contract between her and the Ministry of Tourism.

It should be noted that legislators led by the former Miss Uganda also Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal noted that they will fight against what they called the “exploitation” of Abenakyo by the Ministry of Tourism since she had no contractual agreement signed.

Cecilia Ogwal said that, “from the list of activities which the Minister has given us which the queen is expected to undertake, to me as a leader and a mother it sounds exploitative, she has to be on contract and I am going to make sure that you will not exploit the queen.”

The former beauty queen turned legislator noted that Abenakyo must market the country at a cost because a lot of money is already being spent on international PR firms and local celebrities.

However, the Minister of State for Tourism, Geoffrey Kiwanda told Parliament that there was no plan by government to exploit its citizens adding that Abenakyo will be facilitated for all the work she does for the Ministry.

This prompted the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to rule ordering Kiwanda to report back to the House with a clear contract proposal for Abenakyo’s services within a period of two weeks.