Why Buganda’s tourism queen shies away from Miss Uganda pageant

RUTH NAMALE KISHA, 22, was recently crowned Miss Tourism Buganda Kingdom, where she won a Toyota Ructis. She wants to use her position to promote tourism and promote her heritage all over Uganda. She had a chat with Quick Talk…

Congratulations, Kisha!

Thank you so much, Quick Talk!

Can you tell Quick Talk who Kisha is?

My name is Ruth Namale Kisha, and I am turning 23 years old in October. I live in Ndejje along Entebbe road, with my parents, and we are four siblings: two boys and two girls. I am passionate about tourism, aviation, music and fashion.

Music! Who is your favorite artiste?

I have very many, but every time I listen to gospel artiste Tasha Cobbs, her music nourishes my soul.

How would you describe yourself?

Before the Miss Tourism Buganda Kingdom pageant, I was not confident, but now I would describe myself as confident, resilient, kind, and also a people person.

What made you stand out to win?

There are a lot of things that the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board looks out for. I hear them calling it a rounded queen. You don’t have to have one character or two in you, but you have to be well-rounded.

I think what made me stand out is my character as a very obedient person who works with people regardless of their age and background. I believe I embody humility, calmness, leadership, the character of working with people, plus the passion I have for Buganda culture, all of which made me stand out and be crowned Miss Tourism Buganda Kingdom queen.

How did that feel?

When I was crowned Miss Tourism Buganda Kingdom, I felt overwhelmed with joy, and grateful to God. I cried tears of joy because I did not have a hint that I would be crowned Miss Tourism Buganda Kingdom.

At the end of the boot camp, they call in everyone to have a one-on-one talk and they ask you who your favourite person is, who your least favourite person is, and if you don’t win, who would you want to win? Most of the contestants recommended my name for the crown.

Is this the first pageant you have taken part in?

Yes, it is the first pageant I have participated in.

Is it an opener for other pageants?

I was encouraged by friends and parents to go for it, but they pushed for me to participate in the Miss Uganda pageant. It’s a good pageant but when I did research about it and found out that you have to wear a bikini and address people, I felt like I didn’t have the confidence to do that; I look out for something favourable to me that won’t reveal my body to the public.

For me to look out for a pageant, I would look out for something that is familiar to me and is in line with my values and traditions as a Muganda.

Which person inspires you?

The former Miss Tourism Uganda, Nabulya Sydney Kavuma, is the person who inspires me the most, and what strikes me about her is that she is a down-to-earth person and she works well with others.

What is your favourite Buganda dish?

I have a plethora of foods I love, but my favourite dish is steamed matooke with beans [okayyy…not what Quick Talk quite expected!]

What are your hobbies, Kisha?

I love listening to music, singing, swimming, travelling, and watching fashion shows.

Which schools did you attend?

I went to Ggaba Model nursery and primary school for my primary and nursery education, then to Bank Hill College Ndejje for my O-level and A-level, and to DAS Aviation School Entebbe, where I was trained for the role of cabin crew.

You seem to be a church girl; what roles do you play there?

At church, most members of the worship team and I love worshiping God, but some time ago, I used to be the worship team leader. My favourite worship song is Made A Way by Travis Greene. I also love Joy is Coming by Todd Galberth ft Travis Greene, plus This Moment by Tasha Cobbs Leonard.

Which Bible verse gives you strength?

The Bible verse that gives me strength is Philippians 4:5, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” and Ezekiel 36:22, which states, “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.”

Amen. Do you plan to go back to school and study further?

Yes, I would want to go back to school, but for now, I want to work and get some more experience in the aviation industry. I would want to study and become a pilot.

I also plan on pursuing a course in sustainable fashion, which involves the study of fabric that can be used in fashion, like bark cloth and organic cotton that doesn’t affect or pollute the environment.

Any advice to young girls that may look up to you?

When you have a vision, you have a direction. When you have a vision planned out, it gives your life direction and meaning, thus enabling you to stay on track. I would also advise young girls to be honest with themselves, value themselves, and not give up when they set their minds toward a given goal.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself growing my career in the aviation industry and I see myself using my knowledge in fashion to promote tourism in Buganda and the use of eco-friendly fabrics like bark cloth and organic cotton.

What is your favourite Buganda proverb?

My favourite proverb that inspires me day in and day out is “emiti emito gyejiggumiza ekibira,” which highlights the role that the young generation plays in ensuring that the nation keeps thriving.

What call of action would you give the youth regarding tourism in Buganda?

I call upon all the youth in Buganda to take time and visit the tourism and heritage sites in Buganda and promote their visibility on social media channels, to promote tourism in Buganda.

What’s your best childhood memory?

My best childhood memory is travelling to the United States of America, which inspired me to love everything aviation-related, especially the ladies who work as the cabin crew.

If you were to meet one important person…

…I would love to meet the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and this is because he has made the Buganda kingdom noticeable and well-known among the people in Uganda.