‘Queen of Katwe’ characters crowned tourism ambassadors

Apparently, the monumental movie came at a time when Uganda was ranked fourth in the top 10 most beautiful destinations globally and first in Africa by Rough Guides Ltd, a travel guidebook and reference publisher.

As proof of this ranking, Mr Kiwanda said Uganda hosted not less than 170,000 tourists last year, which he said had a great economic impact since tourism is the largest single export earner and foreign exchange generator of Uganda’s economy.

Mr Katende said the duo have a global appeal to travel the world staring with Seattle to preach the gospel of the beautiful Uganda to 2000 people and then to over 1200 people in Guinea.

Minister of state for Tourism Kiwanda Godfrey Ssuubi (Centre) gives Uganda flag to Chess Star Phiona Mutesi (left) and Joseph Katende the producer of Queen of Katwe Movie (Right) as new Uganda Tourism Ambassadors during a press conference at Ministry of Tourism offices in Kampala on Friday PHOTOS BY COLLEB MUGUME

“Over 200 people have been coming to Uganda to see Katwe, where the movie originates. We shall travel to countries like Germany, Argentina, and Canada among others,” he said.

Ms Mutesi also pledged to market Uganda internationally since people are interested in the country’s culture, weather and everything else it has to offer.

As a result, Mr Kiwanda said the ministry wants to use the prominence of the movie and its characters to market Uganda.

He therefore, officially handed over the Uganda flag to Mr Katende and Ms Mutesi as a symbol of responsibility as tourist ambassadors.