25-year-old Vanessa Aber Carmichael from Kitgum District was crowned Miss Tourism Northern Region 2025/26 over the weekend in a vibrant ceremony held at Lira Hotel in Lira City.
Miss Tourism Uganda crowns Vanessa Aber Carmichael new Northern Uganda Queen
A Network Operations Center Engineer at Roke Telkom Limited, Vanessa emerged winner after beating several other contestants to claim the coveted regional title. She succeeds Atino Lucky Bianca, who held the crown for the 2023/24 season.
Vanessa expressed her passion for promoting tourism in Northern Uganda, pledging to spotlight the region’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. She also emphasized the importance of preserving these resources for future generations.
Speaking to our reporter after her victory, Vanessa revealed plans to document key tourism sites across Northern Uganda and actively promote them on social media to boost visibility and attract visitors.
The event was held under the theme “I Am My Culture”, which inspired contestants to embrace and celebrate the region’s diverse customs, languages, traditional attire, and deeply rooted values.
Angwec Rita from Lira City was named first runner-up, followed by Akere Margret Gabriella, a law graduate awaiting her graduation and admission to LDC, as the second runner-up. The third runner-up position went to Aber Vanessa Carmichael, a CSNOC Engineer from Lamwo District (Palabek).
All four winners will represent Northern Uganda in the national Miss Tourism Uganda finals, scheduled for September 5, 2025, at the prestigious Kampala Serena Hotel. The overall winner will go on to showcase Uganda’s tourism potential on the global stage.