SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

CAROL KABAJULIZI ABWOOLI

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Carol Kabajulizi popularly known by her stage tag Carol Kay signed to De Concept Music is Tooro’s Diva based in Fort Portal that has taken the Ugandan music scene by storm in the last couple of months. The ever hardworking singer who is also a medic is one voice of music from the beautiful land you would love to listen to again and again.

Carol Kay came onto the music scene in 2013 with her intro song Nkugambe that shade bright light of a big promising talent on her. Later in 2014 Carol Kay teamed up with Rocky Face (Ainomukama Rocky) and made an all time cultural favorite Ija ondarre, a unique fusion of Rutooro and Runyankole bridging the gap brought about in relationships by tribes. 

“I sing in my language (Rutooro) because first it’s my language, second it’s the language I understand better than any other and I sing for my Tooro, my pride”, the diva on her love for Tooro

Several hits ensued including Professor and Malaika that led her to two Rwenzori Teens Awards for Best Female Artiste and Best Video of 2016 out of five nominations and a Hipipo Music Awards Nomination for Best Regional Song, a first from this region.

Carol Kay is now nominated an impressive five times in the VEMA Music Awards 2017 including Western Artiste of the Year, Female Artiste of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collabo. This is sure an impressive run of form in just a short period of time.

Carol Kay is indeed representing beautiful motherland effectively countrywide with her cool Rutooro songs doing rounds of airplay on TV, Radio and concerts. The diva is also a concert artiste; she is performing on several concerts countrywide.

The Promise!

Am working on more music in my language and collabos with different artistes across the country to increase coverage for my work. I will make a praise song about our culture, scenery and people.

I also plan to do soundtracks for movies for our own and other film makers worldwide that appreciate the beauty of our language.

#IamNelonTouch

#CelebratingWomen

#SpecialWomenForTooro

#TooroKokasemera

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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

AGNES KEMIGISA AKIIKI
By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

This profile is a tale of impeccable love and endless excellence for Tooro. The Tale of a Tooro Lyricist

Agnes Kemigisa widely known as KeyMe is one of the most impressive women you will find that paints Tooro spectrum in the skies of the globe. The most supple, consistent and outstanding of the ladies that make the waves of Tooro reverberate; KeyMe, a Fort Portal enthusiast is a reverence of our land.

 KeyMe spent 120days of last year discovering, falling in love, profiling and sharing Tooro. Together with her team and different stakeholders redefined the true essence of Tooro through the Tooro Kokasemera Campaign by putting out some of the most interesting and unique features, places and people of Tooro.

 “We are already seeing the returns from this campaign as several people have shown interest to visit Tooro, hold their workshops, spend a weekend, and hold events among others. We have also managed to put up #RutooroMonday; a platform that promotes Rutooro language”, about the Tooro Kokasemera campaign



 At the end of the 120days, KeyMe took to the skies all the way to the USA to spread the discoveries the world needed to know about the golden Tooro at Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention. The Tooro Lyricist on a rare occasion took to the podium and gave a keynote speech at the Tooro American Association (TAA), a side event of UNAA about Tooro that would change the perception of people from Tooro living in the USA about investment specifically in the fast growing tourism sector in the region.

I must attest KeyMe’s speech at TAA inspired many people in the diaspora to be part of the first ever Tooro Conference held in December 2016 in Fort Portal.

 KeyMe co-wrote the Tooro Scope, a hand book that points out the untapped investment opportunities in Tooro across all sectors that she personally delivered and presented to TAA.

As memories are still fresh; KeyMe was one of the brightest shining stars at UNAA and the best representing a region.

 KeyMe, the big deal of 2016 in addition to all the amazement together with a highly dedicated team was the frontrunner of a successful and most spectacular Miss Tourism Tooro event yet that made big news country wide and supported Wrong Incite; Fortlight Limited’s latest movie production ideologically, financially and went on to become one of the biggest publicists of the movie. Trails Africa, a big highlight of Wrong Incite, is actually KeyMe’s Tours and Travel Company where she is MD. In the process, KeyMe earned herself a Fortlight Walk of Honor at Wrong Movie Premiere last December for a second year running.

 Winning Best Tourism Female Personality Award in the Uganda Tourism Excellence Awards (UGTEA) summed up KeyMe’s impressive journey of immortal excellence in promoting Tooro, a phenomenon she attaches to all her endeavors.

“When I was filling forms for UGTEA I doubted my stake against people who have done a lot more on the national front while I focused on Tooro but gladly it paid off. I now believe if this approach is adopted country wide we would have more products to sell as a country and have more information about more attractions in every part of the country”, KeyMe on winning at UGTEA.

The promise!
The focus now turns towards human resource development, we realise that our people need skills in the sensitive tourism sector where we have to ensure every person living in Tooro knows how to treat our visitors because the influx of tourists increases by the day. Every visitor needs to have a memorable experience while in Tooro. We are working closely with Tooro Kingdom Tourism Ministry and have already secured training partnerships with UWEC and UWA as we warm up for the satellite zoo and making being the Tourism capital of this country more real.

Promoting Tooro both domestically and internationally is part of my DNA, I will only do more.


KeyMe says “Koowe Tooro!” (Welcome to Tooro!)

#IamNelonTouch
#CelebratingWomen
#SpecialWomenForTooro
#TooroKokasemera
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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

KOBUSINGE PEACE GORRET ABWOOLI

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Kobusinge Peace is a true characteristic of a Mutoorokati (Mutooro woman); the calm and strikingly beautiful serenade is the 2^nd runners up Miss Tourism Tooro 2016. Peace who loves dancing enyamuziga (Tooro traditional dance) became a darling of many when she made it to the top 10 finalists of Miss Tourism Uganda 2016 making Tooro shine all the way.

“Tooro is gifted with many things. Starting from the people who are kind and pacific, the conducive environment and the breathtaking sceneries that I proudly love to share with the world. But most of all is the love I have for my mother land that inspires me to tell a story to as many people as I can about the beauty and values Tooro is endowed with”, Peace adoring Tooro

Peace who is also studying to become an Air Hostess says she was inspired to participate in Miss Tourism because of her state pride and need to stand for what she believes in; that is partaking in the pursuit of making Tooro the leading tourism destination in Uganda which was bestowed upon by nature.  

“It was tough! hahaha pageants are not easy. I had to give it my best especially that moment when I had to think on my feet. But, representing Tooro at the Nationals; making it to the top ten of Uganda and being the second of Tooro was a dream come true. It proved to me that hard work pays, it really does and there is nothing more satisfying”.
“I was under the spotlight and I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. At that moment, I couldn't be more grateful and proud representing a big region like Tooro. I mean, it was no one else but me”, Peace reminiscent of her Miss Tourism experience

The promise!
I plan to meet and encourage young ladies who would love to participate in pageants but scared. I know how it feels to lack self confidence because it was my area of focus in the first days of Miss Tourism. This will be specially dedicated to the young women that want to use pageants to promote our beautiful Tooro. Am also going to continue showcasing our values, culture and our economy plus working with my fellow queens and other stakeholders on projects that will help us promote and develop Tooro as well as our Tourism City of Fort Portal.

#IamNelonTouch

#CelebratingWomen

#SpecialWomenForTooro

#TooroKokasemera

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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

NYANGOMA TINA BYARUHANGA AMOOTI
By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

I thought I knew love till I found the chivalry of Tina Byaruhanga, a spectacle of true love for Tooro.  Tina is a girl am sure makes God smile for her ceaseless love for the beautiful land. Her unrivaled volunteerism to put Tooro out there has inspired thousands of travelers, tourists, investors and fun lovers to set foot in nature’s favorite location.

Ever wondered that love could be more beauty? Love Tooro is! Tina is the lead of a family enthusiastic about promoting Tooro that created the Love Tooro brand to promote Tooro through attractive merchandise like t-shirts, wristbands, necklaces and online platforms all branded Tooro.

“I am from a family of many siblings and cousins who are behind the Love Tooro campaign. We love our homeland and created Love Tooro as a platform to share Tooro with the rest of the world using accessible platforms such as social media and brands. We produce some merchandize for all friends and fans of Tooro to easily procure, wear and Love Tooro”, the impressive lady on the origin and course of Love Tooro.

In addition to Love Tooro, Tina and the team profile people, places and events happening in and around Tooro on a regular basis through their various platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Website.

The Promise!
Some of the longer
term plans are to use the Love Tooro platform to attract more people to the
region to partake in different development opportunities Tooro presents through
tourism, agriculture/farming, transport and others. The first step is to practically
acquaint ourselves with some of these initiatives so we can share real
experiential examples.


#IamNelonTouch
#CelebratingWomen
#TooroKokasemera
#SpecialWomenForTooro
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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

GRACE NYAKANA AKIIKI
 By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

“Pom pom, goes akabaya, steadily yet gently grinding the soft creamish paste to buttery smoothness, that will soon be the enriching and tasty firinda; My ears perk up at the sound of the lilting voice, and it’s clear to me; maama ali harubengo naasa oburo to the finest flour”,  rhymed Grace Nyakana on the night of July 15th last year endlessly wowing the crowd like never heard and seen before at a beauty pageant. She would go on to become the undisputed queen of Tourism Tooro on a special Miss Tourism Tooro showpiece.

Two months later Grace went on to become "Miss Tooro Union" when the entire Tooro community all over the world came together, spared lots of resources wholeheartedly and rallied behind her in pursuit of the Miss Tourism Uganda Popularity vote. Although she did not win, it was the biggest sign of unity I have witnessed in a lifetime.

“Tooro is naturally beautiful with equally beautiful people, culture and traditions; this heaven needs to be shared with the whole world. I promote Tooro to ensure the whole world shares a fine taste of beautiful mother nature that lies here”. Miss Tourism Tooro provided me a platform and opened doors for me to work hand in hand with great people to lead this objective to fruition”, says the Tourism Royal

Our Tourism Queen was one of the most popular contestants of  Miss Tourism Uganda last year and made Tooro stand out at the nationals through her articulate and eloquent presentations with a Tooro Touch. Miss Tourism Uganda will sure always remember Miss Grace Nyakana Akiiki.

I personally thank Grace for she impeccably represented us and our values as Tooro.

The Queen is currently touring the rest of Uganda with her fellow Tourism Queens from other regions representing Tooro and is bringing them to the Pearl of the Pearl of Africa on March 23rd to have them share Tooro to the world.

The Promise!
Am currently working on reviving Enganikyo za Tooro (Fables of Tooro) in regards to our literature. I also together with my team intend to do school outreach programmes to make young people understand the gold we have so they can grow with the spirit of loving and promoting our Tooro. Watch the space!!!

#IamNelonTouch 
#CelebratingWomen 
#SpecialWomenForTooro 
#TooroKokasemera 
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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

ANNA BAGAYA ADYEERI

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Anna Bagaya Adyeeri

Ladies and gentlemen! With great honor and respect, allow me present to you the Queen of a crop of young women doing tremendous work to put Tooro on the world map, the Director Kibira Safaris; beautiful Anna Bagaya Adyeeri, a tourism inspiration of this land.

 Anna Bagaya, one of the people with the biggest positive thinking mind I have met has become popular because of her unrivaled love for promoting and selling Tooro to different parts of the world and inspiring many young people to understand and promote what she dubbed the Emerald in the Pearl of Africa and the Heaven on earth.

The impressive Tourism Minister of Tooro Kingdom became one of the initiators and promoters of Tooro Kokasemera Campaign, organized a successful Miss Tourism Tooro 2016, walked 17km in the first ever Tooro Kokasemera Trail, was part of the organizers of the Mountains of the Moon Motor Rally, Spearheaded the opening of the France Tulambule Uganda Chapter with the guidance of the State Minister of Tourism, and crowned a successful run of achievements with a nomination as Young Tourism Achiever of the Year in Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards.

Anna giving a speech at the crowning of Miss Tourism Tooro 2016

Anna Bagaya who is currently working with the World Bank profiling all Agro-Tourism and Cultural Sites says, “My main focus is on Tooro because it’s Uganda’s Tourism hub with an all inclusive Tourism Menu ranging from diverse species of flora and fauna to Cultural and Agro Tourism sites to its emerald nature of her ceremonious people, among others aiming at making this heaven on earth a must visit destination on the African continent”.

Anna Bagaya also initiated the “Taking Tooro to the World and Bringing the world to Tooro” campaign to promote Tooro in all horizons of the earth.

What makes Anna special is her endearing will to encourage young people and her genuine attention to people and happenings in Tooro.

Anna is passionate about adventure 

The Promise!

 A team of young intellects and I will launch an African Business Platform called Umoja App to boost tourism and education focus on Tooro first then Uganda and Africa. Am also spearheading on behalf of Tooro Kingdom a partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority aimed at marketing the region, tourism, conservation, education and investment in Tooro.

It’s no surprise Anna Bagaya is all that, right?

#IamNelonTouch
#CelebratingWomen
#SpecialWomenForTooro
#TooroKokasemera
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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

KAKWANZI ESTHER ATWOOKI

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Kesther

Kakwanzi Esther Atwooki aka Kesther is a stunner and high flyer who has grown to grace; becoming a role model, a youth modal and one of the most focused and hardworking young women of this time. 

Kesther who celebrates her birthday today is a model and an A-list actress with Fortlight Limited.

The gorgeous Fortray won the Best Actress Award in the Rwenzori Teens Awards, Modeled for different brands, became the face of Movit Products, did interviews for and appeared in several magazines and wrapped a successful run of form with her outstanding performance in the movie; Wrong Incite, making it to the Fortlight Walk of Honor.

“Tooro has nurtured my talent and laid a firm foundation for me as a model and an actress. People came to appreciate me when I broke through as an actress with Fortlight and a model when I started Tourism Modeling in the beautiful scenery; the crater lakes, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, hills and the amazing landscape of Tooro.

Tooro is not only my home land; it is a beautiful place from conducive environment to a unique culture and people to the amazing scenery and rich natural resources. I can't control myself from using Tooro as an epitome of admiration every time everywhere”, Kesther on her Tooro adoration

Gorgeous Kesther

The Promise!

I will find a way we can unite the artistes and fashionistas from Tooro. There are many great talents from Tooro but we do not know each other yet we would do more wonders if we worked together. There are people like Juliana Kanyomozi and Judith Heard, we could use their connections to take Tooro to another level.We have Agnes Kemigisa, Anna Bagaya and others from Tooro in the diaspora who can be great mentors for the youth. I will engage them so we can take Tooro talent to a new level.

I will also try networking with big brands especially those run and owned by people from Tooro to use more of us in commercials, endorsements and product ambassador roles.

Kesther modeling her Tooro culture

This is for her birthday! Wish her a special birthday please!!!

Happy birthday beautiful Princess Kesther Atwooki!!!

Your good heart puts you among the finest angels of all creation, your ability to live and understand different people makes you a leader, and your love for Tooro makes you a true Rose Flower of our motherland. 
You are not only beautiful but also intelligent, loving and special. 
Wish you the best of big achievements in your life and all you desire!!! 
Celebrating you this your special day with lots of love from Nelon Touch

#IamNelonTouch

#CelebratingWomen

#SpecialWomenForTooro

#TooroKokasemera

#HappyBirthdayKesther

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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

CHRISTINE KAJUMBA AMOOTI

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Christine at Lake Katwe

 There comes a time when a person gets a great kick starter in their life that leads them on to create wide positive  impact to society. Miss Tourism Tooro 2016 is perfectly that moment that brought Christine Kajumba to the realm of Tooro a young dynamic beautiful princess whose love for her homeland was uniquely inspired by outsiders  

Christine never got the chance to go to school in Tooro but this she says gave her a great opportunity to understand how other people appreciated and took with high regard Tooro and her people.

Christine says throughout her time in school, Batooro were known as very beautiful and intelligent which set her pride for Tooro to constant growth.

“I always dreamed of the possible ways and activities I would engage in to make a positive impact to Tooro; when I was in my form 3, Jackie and Lyne, the then famous twins won a pageant that inspired me a great deal. When the opportunity to be part of Miss Tourism Tooro presented itself last year , I could not think twice about it and gladly I made it to the top three and got the chance to represent Tooro on the national level. Me among all the beautiful girls in Tooro being the one to represent my motherland was a dream come true”, in her own words.

Christine modeling the Tooro Culture

Christine has lately been involved in Cultural and Tourism modeling showcasing the beautiful scenery and culture of Tooro that has attracted a big following. She says through the photos, she has managed to attract many people willing to visit Tooro from all over the world.

At Lake Edward

The promise!

I will be involved more in photo modeling to exhibit further the beauty and attractions but also get involved in all activities that promote Tooro, and If all goes well, come up with a project of my own.

#IamNelonTouch

#CelebratingWomen

#SpecialWomenForTooro

#TooroKokasemera

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SPECIAL WOMEN FOR TOORO

MPANJA BARBARAH RITA ABWOOLI
By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

Mpanja Barbarah Rita Abwooli aka Barbarita, a lady with glorious eyes who loves working with people, understanding them and sitting to get solutions for the community is the undisputed Social Media Princess of Rutooro (Native Tooro Language).
Barbarita has in the last couple of months outwitted most social media enthusiasts from Tooro to becoming the number one Rutooro promoter through posting sayings and other topics in the native language regularly on social media.

"Obuculeezi Bwe'ntama Tibugitanga Kulya Kisura", her latest Facebook Intro and Whatsapp status

Yes! Barbarita

"I have this great feeling called love; I love Tooro and my language so much! Everyone close to me has a good image of Tooro. I want to see my motherland prosper", glorious eyes says

The Promise!
"I am going to create more awareness through social media about our unique culture including Empaako, our traditional food (firinda, obutuzi and akaro), our heritage right from Batembuzi, embrace our art like enkwanzi (beads), our cultural dance (kinyege) and tourism sites", Rita sets the pace.

With children in Karamoja

Barbarita is one Tooro woman to watch in 2017. She says the uniqueness of our land can surely put us atop the best.

Understanding the life of the Karimojong

#IamNelonTouch
#CelebratingWomen
#SpecialWomenForTooro
#TooroKokasemera
#ForAUniqueWorld
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TOORO! The Pearl of the Pearl of Africa

By Nelon Gerrard Amooti

The forests, the hills, the mountains, the crater lakes, and a crispy taste of fine fresh breathe outline Uganda’s most naturally decorated and endowed piece of heaven that dropped in Tooro millions of years ago.

Tooro, the home of the world’s youngest reigning monarch Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is an absolute clarity to Uganda’s acclaim of the crown of the Pearl of Africa.

A warm welcome by the people of Tooro (Batooro), ranked as the most hospitable and friendly Ugandans will make any bachelor come calling for a future soul mate.

Empaako, Tooro’s cultural phenomenon inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage is well felt when you set foot in Tooro. The praise names also known as pet names unique to Tooro and Bunyoro in Uganda are the best form of expression of respect for one another irrespective of age. Every time you call your loved one by their Empaako, glowing smiles start dripping on their face. The special karo and firinda meal served at the Empaako naming ceremony and the main traditional food, is a delicacy out of this world.

A trip to Tooro will have you date with some of nature’s best on the different adventurously enthusing encounters to Katosa Martyr’s Shrine in Kyenjojo and then Fort Portal, Tooro’s metropolis and Uganda’s Tourism Capital that gives you a whole different view and special feel of a well planned and most clean urban centre.

 A sweet scent in the beautiful stretches of neat tea estates gives you a grand entry to Fort Portal which is naturally defined by beauty. Fort Portal unlike other urban areas in Uganda dotted by tall buildings and congested streets is naturally endowed with beautiful scenery glanced at on every turn from anywhere.

The Rwenzori Mountains with Uganda’s highest peak rollout to the skies from its foothills in Kabarole. This is home to Rwenzori Mountains National Park, mountain hiking, and farming and offers a winter experience throughout the year; the reason Fort Portal that lies on the windward side of the ranges has what most people consider as the most balanced weather on earth.

“In Fort Portal,

you feel loved even when no one says nothing”,

Dr. Muhumuza Herbert Ateenyi

 Water drops fall into your soul when at the famous Amabere Ganyina Mwiru Caves (Stalactites and Stalagmites) in the hills of Nyakasura whose waterfalls have an underground source said to be in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Atop Mweganywa hill is a beautiful view of Saaka Lava-dammed lake formed in the shape of a woman’s uterus at the base of Mountains of the Moon University, Lake Kigere and a blow hole best seen after a breathtaking and sweat breaking hiking experience.

“I have been to the alps in Europe and other

Mountainous areas in the world

that I thought were so unique

but it feels so different here,

it’s so amazing”

Tabea Jung from Germany

On Kamwenge road is Kibale National Park, the World’s Chimps Capital found in Uganda’s largest natural forest; Kibale Forest enriched with over 400species of birds including Tooro Olive Greenbull named after Tooro, over a thousand species of flora, different monkey species including the colobus monkey surrounded by numerous crater lakes, hills, tea estates and large farms.

Fort portal is the centre of most of the major tourist sites in Uganda found in the Albertine region including Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest and National Park, over 1000 hills, over 50 crater lakes, a network of rivers going through Fort Portal town, chimpanzees, Tooro-Semiliki National Park, Sempaya Hot springs, Amabere Ganyina Mwiru Caves and Waterfalls, fine weather, beautiful and hospitable people, and so much more.

“Tooro is one wonder of the world that makes you bow to God’s awesomeness every time”

Lake Nyabikere in Rweteera