Miss Uganda Leah Kagasa
Leah Kagasa, the reigning Miss Uganda has said she is rarely seen at events because she lacks funds to buy expensive dresses and shoes to match her calibre.
She said she has found it difficult to be herself, as people expect her to live a certain lifestyle.
“People want you to be at every trending event in Kampala, put on certain type of dress, generally you have to be like a model. But when you don’t have money you can’t live that life,” Kagasa said.
Kagasa who had gone to Entebbe International Airport for aviation practical lessons stressed that she is trying to keep herself busy, since she cannot spend what she does not have.
“All things I am supposed to be doing require funding first of all. Even when I’m supposed to go to schools, it requires money. I am not just sitting there and getting allowances but I am limited by funds,” she said.
She blames the Miss Uganda founders and government for not supporting her to achieve her ambitions. “This year there was no sponsorship. Previous years there have been sponsorship. Private companies come in to fund,” she said.
Kagasa says she has only conducted school talks in Fort Portal, which were sponsored by Kabarole local government to empower and inspire the girl child. She preached against early marriages, teenage pregnancies and talked about the importance of staying in school.
She challenges the gender ministry to be involved since it is the women empowerment platform. To her, Miss Uganda should not be just a title but should be given travel opportunities to be exposed. “We need someone to train you on how you speak, to be organised, meeting with people like the President to lay plans. I have passion for young people, teenagers but I can’t achieve and it pains me,” she added.
Kagasa feels frustrated that she is likely to leave office without any impact. She explains that her frustration could turn the country’s beauty contest into a meaningless title.
