NEWS- A legal fight has erupted in Rukungiri as Miss Tourism Kigezi Initiative Ltd takes Miss Tourism Uganda – Pearl of Africa and Ms. Zakia Lucky to court.
The lawsuit, filed in the High Court of Uganda at Rukungiri, aims to stop a beauty pageant planned by the defendants.
Background
Miss Tourism Kigezi Initiative Ltd, represented by Bwagi & Co. Advocates, claims it has independently managed the Miss Tourism Kigezi pageant since 2016. They aim to empower young people in the Kigezi region through tourism.
The trouble began when Miss Tourism Uganda – Pearl of Africa, the first defendant, published a letter on April 20, 2024. The letter announced that Ms. Zakia Lucky was appointed as the new coordinator for the Kigezi Cluster. This suggested that Miss Tourism Kigezi was under the authority of Miss Tourism Uganda – Pearl of Africa, which Miss Tourism Kigezi denies.
Legal Claims
The plaintiff asks the court to:
1. Declare that Miss Tourism Uganda – Pearl of Africa cannot appoint Ms. Zakia Lucky to manage the Miss Tourism Kigezi pageant.
2. Issue a permanent injunction to stop the defendants from organizing or promoting the pageant in Kigezi.
3. Nullify any results from the defendants’ pageant set for June 15, 2024.
4. Award damages and cover the plaintiff’s legal costs.
Concerns
Miss Tourism Kigezi Initiative Ltd says the unauthorized appointment has caused confusion. They are having trouble finding contestants, partners, and sponsors for their own Miss Tourism Kigezi 9th Edition. They also claim that the defendants’ actions are likely to cause financial losses and disrupt their operations.
Court Proceedings
The High Court of Uganda at Rukungiri will decide if the plaintiff’s claims are valid. The outcome could affect how beauty pageants are managed in the Kigezi region and beyond.
Many people in the tourism and beauty pageant industries are watching closely, waiting for the court’s decision. The defendants’ pageant, scheduled for June 15, 2024, could be impacted by the legal proceedings.
Conclusion
This legal battle highlights the challenges in the beauty pageant industry, especially around management rights. The court’s decision will set an important precedent for similar cases in the future. Both sides are preparing to present their arguments in court.