The chairman of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Daudi Migereko now wants socialite Zari Hassan to be immediately replaced as the country's tourism ambassador.

He wants the newly crowned Miss World Africa Quinn Abenakyo to take over the role.

Mr Migereko, a former tourism minister, argues that time is ripe to use the 22 year-old Abenakyo as the face of Uganda'a tourism instead of the socialite.

Zari was appointed to the ambassadorial role two months ago by Tourism and Wildlife minister Godfrey Kiwanda.

However, following Abenakyo's successful exploits in various competitions across the world, the UTB chairman feels it's time for the beauty queen to be the face of Uganda's tourism.

Abenakyo came close to winning the Miss World title in China, finishing third in the popular vote.

"Abenakyo has done us proud, she put up an excellent show and as a country we are bound to benefit immensely as a result of the publicity Uganda has had by her excellent performance.

"The image of the country has been put at a different trajectory, we now need to position ourselves such that the tourism industry benefits from this," Mr Migereko was quoted by Nile Post.

His sentiments were supported by David Muwanga, CEO of UNAA Causes, an association of Ugandans living in north America.

"Many people go to Kenya because their talent is winning everywhere, their athletes are winning abroad, and their rugby team is winning and making so much publicity for them. It's high time for government to refocus their expenditure on tourism. People like Abenakyo should be invested in like ambassadors now" said Muwanga.