Challa Elma Kapel was recently crowned Miss Tourism Uganda 2017/2018. Campus Bee’s Namwone Brenda caught up with her for a chit-chat.
CB: Could you give us a little back story about yourself?
Challa: It’s a pleasure, I am grateful too. Well, I am Challa Elma Kapel, 19 years old. I am at Ndejje University pursuing a diploma in Social works and social administration. I am an old student of Budo SS, and Entebbe Christian School for primary. My mother is Hon. Esther Anyakun, Woman MP of Nakapirpirit, to whom I am the first-born child.
CB: What pushed you to go for the Miss Tourism Uganda competition?
Challa: Well, my aunt contested way back in 2013, but didn’t make it. This gave me the love to come and first accomplish her dream, and again I had a great urge to represent Karamoja region in Uganda so it was all well on my side. I represented well.
CB: Congratulations upon that too, good to see that ambition runs in the family. Did you enjoy your journey to the crown?
Challa: Yes! It was pretty amazing. Everything was just so interesting, learning different things in different places like; different dances in Uganda all made me feel my journey was worth it.
CB: What was your most trying time? The point at which you felt like you couldn’t push anymore.
Challa: When some people were being appreciated most and I wasn’t so good at some things. I felt I couldn’t handle it or make it anywhere.
CB: I feel you, must’ve hit a spot. So it must have been a surprise when you were announced the winner.
Challa: Not really a surprise because I did my best.
CB: Apart from the BMW, what other prizes did you win?
Challa: A free ticket from Brussels airlines to any European destination, and also I have a trip to Malaysia on 19th November.
CB: Now that you are miss tourism Uganda, how are you going to use your position to improve the tourism industry?
Challa: Well first, I want to work on my platform of promoting domestic tourism in Uganda, through launching a one-day free visit for the natives to the different parks in Uganda. They can be able to speak about the place they may not know some. For example, around Lake Mburo National Park, to make it easy for the locals to speak good of the place and I also want to engage people in the sustainable activities like craft making and bead making through which they can earn a small living and promote development. In addition, I want to work with other Queens in tree planting which will be a general platform to keep Uganda green and carry out sanitation. This will encourage settlement in some areas and also fight diseases like Cholera.
CB: Which people do you credit for support? And success?
Challa: Well first, I credit my beautiful mom who has been prominent in my life. Each and everything I have done is because she let me and encouraged me. Then the karamojong people, I love them so much for trusting me. The whole national team; they all had different roles like Mr. Joram Muzira Job, thank you so much and Ms. Rona who was a mother at the camp.
CB: And finally, a word for you adoring public that voted for you?
Challa: Well, thank you all for believing in me. You all gave me courage. Many people believing in me gave me a solid rock that encouraged me I would make it. I love you all and may the Lord bless you. Alakara!
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