Uganda has added curvy and sexy women to the list of tourism products.
The minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda on Wednesday unveiled a beauty pageant dubbed ‘Miss Curvy Uganda’ to showcase the “naturally well endowed women”.
Mr Kiwanda noted that the women who have been overlooked over the years could be the country’s new source of revenue.
Last year for instance the tourism sector raked in Sh5 trillion ($1.4 billion).
“We have naturally endowed nice looking women that are amazing to look at. Why don’t we use these people as a strategy to promote our tourism industry?” he posed.
The women, adorning some rather revealing clothes posed for the cameras earlier today at the Mestil Hotel pool side. The finalists will be selected in June.
Meanwhile Uganda’s Minister of tourism is trying to market Uganda as a tourist destination by using women’s curvy bodies as a tourist attraction
The Swahili say ‘Kuishi kwingi ndio kuona mengi’
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According to the pageant organizer, Ann Mungoma, these women will bring out the endowment of the real African woman.
“It is an exceptional event that will see young ladies showcase their beautiful curves and intellect,” she said, adding that only women aged between 18 and 35 are eligible to participate.
In a conservative society such as Uganda, there are worries that the latest tourist attraction will not be well received.
Critics say the move is meant to objectify women while others feel that the pageant is not the right approach.
I'm rarely speechless, but I have failed to find the words for this latest venture by the Ministry of Tourism. Let me first gather myself. Cheii.
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A woman identified as Primrose Nyonyozi Murungi has however petitioned the government to cancel the pageant which she denotes, is meant to objectify women.
“It’s 2019 ladies and gentlemen. And a whole board of tourism sat down, discussed and decided to actually pass something like this. Those were men and women with daughters at home. Those were gentlemen married to “curvy” women and dating them. Those were men and women with “curvy” sisters, mothers and friends who sat and actually passed this,” she complained.
Irked by the ministry of tourism’s move, Murungi has started an online petition.
“They are objectifying us and reducing women to nothing. Please sign this petition for ministry of tourism to take down the miss curvy challenge and offer an apology to the public as well,” she said.