Bireete Sarah@SarahBireete

 Sigh the petition to demand that Government/ministry of tourism : Cancels the curvy women contest in uganda #WomenNotSexObjects - Sign the Petition! http://chng.it/kvjxCwhV  via @Change

11:45 AM - Feb 6, 2019

The move comes after Uganda's privately owned Daily Monitor news site reported that the State Minister for Tourism, Godfrey Kiwanda, announced the plan - including holding a Miss Curvy Uganda beauty contest - at a press conference in the capital, Kampala, on Tuesday.

"We have naturally endowed nice looking women that are amazing to look at. Why don’t we use these people as a strategy to promote our tourism industry?” the news site quoted him as saying.

Pageant organiser Ann Mungoma said the contest "will bring out the endowment of the real African woman" and will be "an exceptional event that will see young ladies showcase their beautiful curves and intellect", the Daily Monitor reported.

The winner will be selected in June.

Reactions on Twitter included:

?Mrs 007?@kakatshozi_

 In Uganda, curvy women are now tourist  ‘products’ as if zoo animals. On a scale of 1-10, how stupid is your tourism minister? ????

6:50 AM - Feb 6, 2019

Kandabahi IV ????????@kandabahi_iv

 @KiwandaSsuubi stop dehumanizing women.

This country is blessed with beautiful things for tourism.Curvy women is not the right thing to market the country.Women should be protected and given love.@ugandatourism @SimonKaggwaNjal @VictoriaNyeko @Winnie_Byanyima #SomeoneTellKiwanda

11:10 AM - Feb 6, 2019

????The Dark Prince???? ????????@TheRealLeo420

 U can't blame the ministry of tourism for adding curvaceous women to the list of Uganda tourist attractions.

essie????????@to_ma_t_o????????

12:03 PM - Feb 6, 2019