Quiin Abenakyo’s reign as Tourism Uganda Goodwill Ambassador did not kick off as expected after she reportedly became ill on the eve of her #TulambuleNeQuiin campaign.
Abenakyo, the current Miss World Africa and Miss Uganda was set to begin a five-day tour of Eastern Uganda on Sunday but could not when she, and Brenda Nanyonjo, her handler both fell sick.
Nanyonjo told journalists, bloggers, tourism big wigs, as well as tourism stakeholders had gathered to set off at the Independence Monument in Kampala that Abenakyo had had a tooth canal the previous day.
The Miss Uganda CEO did not however, tell the crestfallen gathering what she was suffering from.
The flag-off was supposed to be done by Abenakyo and junior tourism minister Geoffrey Kiwanda.
“She is in hospital at the moment, undergoing treatment,” explained Nanyonjo.
Other sources claimed she had been sighted at Miracle Centre Cathedral where a thanksgiving service had been organised for her.
“I understand many people were bracing themselves for the trip. A reason we’d hoped that her health would get better. Unfortunately, because we understand the nature of activities on the trip, taking her in the current shape would be putting her health at risk,” explained Claire Mugabi, the head of Marketing and Communications Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Mugabi insisted the trip, which would have involved bungee jumping, zip lining, water rafting as well as visits to Kidepo and Murchison Falls national parks, is not canceled, but rather postponed.
The announcement prompted the so called influencers, some of whom had already mentally spent their per-diem, to pose for photographers until they disappeared one by one.
“The new date shall be dictated by Quin Abenakyo’s health,” Mugabi said.
