Sylvia Namutebi is Miss Uganda 2011. She is current crown holder of Mrs. World 2021. She loves travel and the ease with which she can book and confirm her reservation makes or breaks her travel experience.
How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
I would describe myself as a loner who doesn’t mind my own company.
What makes you proud to be a Ugandan?
The people of this country, they are one of the kindest and gentle people in the world and the perfect weather we have all year round.
What was your initial or first travel experience?
Dar es Salaam Tanzania was my fist travel for a youth seminar.
What memories did you carry from it?
I remember it being very hot and humid than I have ever experienced before but the city was mostly clean with good roads, good restaurants and the food especially local cuisines were just a delicacy.
What are your top travel destinations locally and beyond? And why?
Locally Fort Portal is my favourite, Kyaninga Lodge to be specific, I think in all destinations I’ve been to in Uganda they have the best service and Food and the ambiance is the cherry on top.
Beyond, I would have to say Maldives it was just mind blowing to be right in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the mighty ocean waves and so close to the most beautiful coral reefs and beaches, just let’s you realise how Beautiful and powerful nature is.
What makes or breaks your travel experience?
The ease with which I can book and confirm my reservation, a smooth and quick check in once I arrive at my destination, the quality of service, the food, dining experience and the room amenities offered.
What would you like to see done better in Uganda’s tourism sector?
Service delivery has got to improve; most places don’t have that top notch customer service especially if you are a Local. They should do more to carter to families, for a person like me who loves to travel with my family i find a lot lacking in the way families are catered for. Lodges and Hotels have got to make better rates, so many places here in terms of pricing compete with destinations such as Zanzibar, Mombasa, South Africa, UAE, Europe and Asia yet these places are far ahead when it comes to service, infrastructure, and amenities that they offer! sometimes it’s actually cheaper and much more fun to fly out and vacation than booking into a ” top” lodge/hotel here, I find this utterly ridiculous. So this should really be looked in to.
Which travel destinations are on your travel bucket list, and why?
In Uganda the new Elephant plains Lodge because it looks pretty modern in design and that’s my type of architecture. Outside Uganda Bali, Caymans Island and Cyprus. I think these are some of the most beautiful places in the world in terms of nature.
What do you love about your culture?
I’m a Muganda by tribe so I come from the Buganda Central region of Uganda. I love how very rich and diverse our culture is, in terms of cultural attires, dances, ceremonies, and food and I think the Baganda culture is the most shared culture in Uganda. I also love the fact that we still have our kingdom and I’m proud of our Kabaka and the Nabagereka.
