By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI — Beyond the glamour and recognition that come with pageantry, Mr Tourism Teso Ambassador Emmanuel Opio is using his platform to promote youth empowerment, mental health awareness, drug abuse prevention, culture and tourism across the Teso sub-region.

Opio was crowned Mr Tourism Teso in 2025, a position that has since provided him with a platform to engage young people, promote Teso's cultural heritage and showcase the region's tourism potential.

While speaking in an interview with our reporter, Opio said his journey since winning the crown has been one of the most transformative experiences of his life.

Opio hails from Soroti District and belongs to the Igoria clan, one of the seven major clans of Teso.

He said his decision to participate in the pageant was driven by his passion for culture and a desire to advocate for the empowerment of the boy child.

“Most cases, we talk about the girl child. I said, no, I think there is a need to have a boy in the pageant aspect,” Opio said.

He explained that only a few male contestants initially participated in the competition, but as the contest progressed, he remained the only male contestant.

Despite the challenges, Opio said his passion and determination kept him going until he emerged as Mr Tourism Teso 2025.

For Opio, the title has provided more than recognition. He says it has opened doors and given him the confidence and visibility to engage with different audiences.

He is also a student leader at Makerere University, where he says the experience gained through pageantry has helped him confidently engage with intellectuals, leaders and other members of the public.

Opio also revealed that some people often mistake him for a prince because of the way he presents himself and represents Teso.

“Whenever I am on radio stations or television, people keep telling me, ‘The prince has come,’” he said.

According to him, the title of Mr Tourism Teso has enabled him to become a public figure and a representative of the region.

Since assuming the position in 2025, Opio has used digital platforms to engage young people on issues affecting their lives.

He has been organising weekly X Spaces, where he brings together politicians, business people and other stakeholders to discuss mental health, leadership, communication skills and personal branding.

Some of the discussions, he said, have attracted more than 1,000 young people.

He explained that the platforms provide young people with an opportunity to discuss how they can better understand themselves, develop their potential and contribute positively to society.

His mental health awareness work later opened opportunities for him to participate in campaigns against drug abuse.

Opio is currently working with AIDO Network International Uganda and Drug-Free World in a campaign targeting more than 30 schools across Teso.

The campaign seeks to educate young people about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse while equipping them with accurate information to make informed decisions.

“We are trying to give knowledge and the facts about drugs to these young people so that they can make informed decisions,” he said.

Through school outreaches and public engagements, Opio also shares messages on leadership, social communication skills and personal development.

He says his goal is to positively influence young people and become a role model whom they can look up to.

As Mr Tourism Teso 2025 Ambassador, Opio has also taken an active role in promoting the region's tourism attractions and cultural heritage.

He represented Teso at tourism events, including the African Tourism Expo held in Munyonyo, where he interacted with tourism stakeholders and representatives from different parts of the world.

According to Opio, the event provided him with an opportunity to introduce Teso to international visitors and promote the region's cultural and tourism potential.

He has also worked with the Ateker Museum and used social media to showcase attractions and institutions in the region.

Among the places he has promoted is the East African Civil Aviation Academy and its flying school, which he says has attracted interest from people seeking information about visiting the facility and pursuing aviation-related careers.

“Many people keep coming to my inbox asking what they need to visit the aviation school and what qualifications they need,” he said.

Opio believes that social media and digital content can play a significant role in promoting Teso and attracting visitors from Uganda and beyond.

Opio says he is proud of his culture and language and believes that cultural identity is an important part of tourism promotion.

He says speaking his local language and embracing his culture allows him to promote Teso's identity while inspiring other young people to take pride in their heritage.

He has also worked with different partners, including international partners, an experience he says has opened new opportunities and transformed his life.

“I am not the same person you used to know before. My life has changed totally,” he said.

Opio has encouraged young people interested in pageantry to participate, saying the experience helps build confidence and equips contestants with valuable skills.

Despite the achievements since winning the crown in 2025, Opio says lack of support from some leaders and partners remains one of the biggest challenges facing youth-led initiatives in Teso.

He said he has attempted to organise a tourism trip across five districts in the region and reached out to different institutions seeking partnerships and support.

However, he said some of his efforts have been frustrated by delayed responses and unfulfilled commitments.

He also cited challenges faced while organising community clean-ups and school outreaches, saying some partners have failed to honour their commitments.

Opio called on leaders, cultural institutions and other stakeholders to support young people with ideas aimed at benefiting the community.

“We young people have very beautiful ideas we would love to share with other young people. We can organise something that sensitises the entire generation. But if you don't give us those platforms, how shall we be there?” he asked.

He also urged members of the public to support rather than criticise youth-led initiatives, saying partnerships are essential for sustainable programmes.

Commenting on the theme for Miss Tourism Teso 2026 — “AI, Tourism & Culture” — Opio described it as timely and relevant to the rapidly changing world.

He said young people must embrace technological advancement and adapt to changes taking place in society.

According to Opio, artificial intelligence presents opportunities for promoting culture and tourism to a wider audience.

He praised the organisers of Miss Tourism Teso for choosing a theme that brings together technology, tourism and culture.

He said the integration of artificial intelligence into tourism promotion could help showcase Teso's cultural heritage and tourism attractions to audiences across the world.

Opio has urged members of the public to turn up in large numbers for the grand finale of Miss Tourism Teso 2026, scheduled for 1 August at Cloud 9 Gardens.

He said the event will provide an opportunity to celebrate culture, tourism and the talents of young people in the Teso sub-region.

For Opio, the journey as Mr Tourism Teso 2025 is about more than wearing a crown.

It is about using the platform to inspire young people, promote Teso's cultural identity, fight drug abuse, raise awareness about mental health and position the region as a destination with significant tourism potential.

As he continues to serve as Mr Tourism Teso Ambassador, Opio says he remains committed to using his influence to empower young people and promote the culture and tourism of Teso.