Tourism in Uganda: The reactions of women are fast

The Ugandan Minister of Tourism has suggested introducing curvy women to attract more visitors.

Godfrey Kiwanda described the project at the launch of a larger contest, Miss Curvy Uganda, in the capital Kampala.

Gesturing for the candidates, he stated that figured women were "the story we sell" to visitors.

Mr. Kiwanda's comments were described as "dehumanizing" and "degrading", and a petition was launched to have the plan – and the parade – abandoned.

Speaking at the launch of the pageant on Tuesday, the minister said it would be "an exceptional event that will see young women show their beautiful curves".

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"We naturally have gifted and pretty women who are amazing to watch," the Ugandan Daily Monitor quoted the newspaper as saying. "Why do not we use these people as a strategy to promote our tourism industry?"

Unsurprisingly, there was a quick response to the proposal online.

Some people accused Mr. Kiwanda of talking about women as being zoo animals. One woman even asked if they would be put "in a cage so that tourists can see them".

And in a Change.org petition, activist Primrose Murungi wrote that she "feels personally attacked" by this idea and has called Mr. Kiwanda to apologize to the public.

"This is degrading for women," she said. "They objectify us and reduce women to nothing."

The Ministry of Tourism has not yet publicly commented on these criticisms.