KAMPALA: A startling discovery has indicated how the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities’ Miss Tourism Uganda project was allegedly involved in corruption and poor administration. This is despite its original goal of promoting domestic travel. Apparently, the late Hon. Maria Mutagamba, the then state minister, supported the idea when it was resurrected in 2013 by Moses Zikusooka.
However, things took a bad turn when it was claimed that the minister used her position to support her own wanted version of Miss Tourism Uganda. A source, who wished to preferred to remain unknown, claims that Moses Zikusooka’s 2013 rebirth of Miss Tourism Uganda was originally supposed to be a government initiative that would be run by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, with the late Mutagamba serving as its advocate.
Surprisingly and shockingly, in the middle of the project, there were accusations that she and her daughter, Marrienne Naava Mary had re-registered it under a different name, “Miss Tourism Uganda-Pearl of Africa.” The Minister Maria Mutagamba is said to have used her position to intimidate and sideline individuals who had been part in the initial idea.
According to this anonymous source, Hon. Matia Mutagamba gained control over Miss Tourism Uganda as a result of the initial project registration participants’ dissatisfaction and withdrawal due to her actions. Moreover, it is alleged that she used her power to get government backing and financing for her own version of the initiative. Eventually, this led to the birth of twelve regional clusters under MTU.
Complaints of financial irregularities and mismanagement went unanswered despite attempts to warn ministry officials. They included Stephen Assimwe, the CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board at the time and the then Permanent Secretary.
The issue is said to have worsened after Mutagamba was ousted as minister. This is because the new leadership decided not to interact with MTU because of lingering worries.
“The situation worsened when Mutagamba was removed from office, and subsequent attempts by the Ministry to fund cluster events were met with resistance from Miss Tourism Uganda-Pearl of Africa.”
According to recent events, MTU, which is still influenced by Mutagamba, is purportedly using questionable methods to hold onto power, such as renaming regional clusters and substituting former queens who support MTU’s objectives for the original cluster heads.
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Furthermore, stakeholders in the tourism industry are said to have lost faith in and support as a result of these activities. Besides, sponsors have rescinded their support. On top of that, worries about the project’s accountability and transparency are also growing.
