Anna Ahebwomugisha was crowned Miss Tourism Ankole 2025 in a vibrant, culture-rich ceremony held in Bushenyi District, reaffirming the growing role of young women as ambassadors of Uganda’s tourism, culture, and heritage.
The glittering event celebrated not only beauty but also the diverse tourism potential and cultural identity of the Ankole sub-region.
Anna was joined on the podium by Asiimwe Mary Vanessa as 1st Runner-Up and Akandekaho Sharon as 2nd Runner-Up, completing a trio of queens tasked with elevating Ankole’s cultural and tourism profile under the Miss Tourism Uganda platform.
The ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall behind Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council offices and drew tourism enthusiasts, cultural leaders, and beauty pageant supporters from across Western Uganda.
Queens with a Purpose
In her first remarks as queen, Anna Ahebwomugisha pledged to use her title to amplify Ankole’s cultural richness and promote the region as a must-visit tourism destination. “This title is not just a crown; it’s a call to action. I want to champion agro-tourism, cultural heritage, and community tourism across Ankole,” she said.
True to her word, Anna has already embarked on her tourism advocacy, making a courtesy visit to Kayne La Farms Ltd, an agrotourism hub in the region boasting a variety of agricultural projects, including goat, rabbit, poultry, and cattle rearing, alongside aviaries, crocodiles, and horse stables. The farm also offers leisure activities such as quad biking, horse riding, and swimming, showcasing the integration of agriculture and tourism.
“Agro-tourism is a growing opportunity for our region,” Anna observed during her visit. “I want to spotlight these hidden gems and inspire more youth, especially women, to see tourism as a viable path to economic empowerment.”
South Western Uganda Also Crowns New Queens
Beyond Ankole, the Miss Tourism South Western Uganda 2025/26 event recently crowned Asiimwe Lent from Kabale as the regional queen. Karungi Bridget and Dushime Silia, both from Kisoro, were named 1st Runner-Up and 2nd Runner-Up, respectively.
These queens have already embarked on impactful community projects that align with Miss Tourism Uganda’s pillars of environmental protection, cultural heritage, and community service.
Their recent participation in the Ndejje Mega Hill Project in Bombo saw them collaborate with Rotaract Clubs from Ndejje University, Victoria University, and Muyenga Tankhill to distribute scholastic materials and promote environmental sustainability through tree planting in seven schools.
“We’ve come far, crowned not just with beauty, but with purpose, passion, and power,” Asiimwe Lent shared on social media.
Regional Queens, National Impact
The crowning of new queens across Uganda reflects the evolving role of beauty pageants in advancing tourism, culture, and social causes. From the North to the South, young women are stepping forward as advocates for their regions, taking up roles beyond glamour to focus on environmental sustainability, community tourism, and cultural preservation.
In Northern Uganda, Aber Vanessa Carmichael from Kitgum was recently crowned Miss Tourism Northern Uganda 2025/26, with Angwec Rita from Lira and Akere Margret Gabriella from Kitgum taking 1st and 2nd Runner-Up positions respectively.
Similarly, Murungi Jane has been appointed the new Cluster Coordinator for Miss Tourism Bunyoro, signalling a continued expansion of the Miss Tourism Uganda network’s reach and influence.
These newly crowned queens will represent their regions at national and international tourism platforms, working to market Uganda’s tourism assets while championing environmental and cultural causes.
They join a growing movement of young Ugandan women redefining beauty pageantry as a platform for leadership, advocacy, and sustainable development.
