Musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist Akothee has been appointed a Tourism Ambassador by the Ugandan government, a role that will see her spearhead regional tourism campaigns while promoting cultural exchange and cross-border travel between Uganda and Kenya.
The award-winning singer, whose real name is Esther Akoth, announced the appointment on her social media pages, but her celebration quickly turned into a pointed question directed at Kenya. While expressing gratitude to Uganda for the opportunity, Akothee wondered why her home country had failed to engage her in a similar capacity despite years of discussions.
“You mean UGANDA GOVERNMENT APPOINTED me as their Tourism Ambassador while Kenya is watching? Where is the disconnect?” she wrote.
She went on to suggest that the Ugandan government acted decisively where Kenyan authorities had not.
“With all the proposals, meetings and boardrooms, can someone tell me why Uganda had only one sitting with me and they achieved their goal? Uganda is now leading on the map in matters tourism.”
Her remarks sparked debate online, with supporters congratulating her on the appointment while others weighed in on her criticism of Kenya’s tourism sector and decision-making processes.
Akothee’s appointment goes beyond promoting Uganda as a standalone destination. According to details shared about her new role, she will serve as a cross-border tourism ambassador, championing initiatives that strengthen tourism collaboration between Kenya and Uganda.
Among the flagship projects attached to her appointment is the Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition, an initiative aimed at encouraging regional travel, investment and partnerships within East Africa.
With more than 15 years of experience in the tourism industry, Akothee has consistently advocated for regional travel, highlighting the economic potential of heritage tourism, wildlife conservation, cultural experiences and cross-border trade.
Although Akothee is best known for her music career, she has steadily expanded her influence into business, philanthropy and tourism.
Through her travel ventures and extensive social media presence, she has promoted destinations across Kenya and neighbouring countries, often encouraging domestic and regional tourism.
While celebrating the appointment, Akothee made it clear that she believes Kenya overlooked an opportunity to work with her despite her experience and established tourism credentials.
She praised Uganda’s efficiency, saying the appointment was finalized after just one meeting.
Without naming any specific Kenyan institution, the singer questioned why prolonged proposals and boardroom discussions had not translated into action.
Despite her criticism, Akothee has repeatedly maintained that tourism should be viewed through a regional lens rather than a competitive one.
In her new role, she is expected to market Uganda’s tourism products while also encouraging collaborative initiatives that benefit the wider East African region.
The appointment includes promoting the area’s rich cultural heritage, wildlife, hospitality industry and investment opportunities, while encouraging visitors to explore multiple destinations across neighbouring countries.
