MIRROR MIRROR: On Friday, July 26, Quinn Abenakyo’s reign as Miss Uganda will come to an end and the process to replace her has started. Auditions were conducted and 22 girls were selected to compete for the 2019/2020 crown. Currently, the girls are in bootcamp receiving different lifestyle skills on etiquette, catwalk, public speaking and dealing with new found fame. Esther Oluka and Hephzibar Vicky Bukasu visited them at camp and captured their brief profiles.
Name: Angel Akullo, 20
Occupation: Student at Kyambogo University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Logistics Management.
From: Lira District
Reason for contesting: I want to carry out advocacy and awareness on depressing issues such as sexual harassment.
Name: Carolyne Rukundo, 23
Occupation: Travel consultant
From: Ibanda District
Reason for contesting: It has always been my dream, and I also want to inspire other youth that they can do anything.
Name: Braton Braxy Kempango, 21
Occupation: Self-employed
From: Kabarole District
Reason for contesting: I am fulfilling my to-do list, and using the platform to learn different things that can be helpful for my future.
Name: Divine Bronnie Kusiima, 18
Occupation: Student and basketball player
From: Kanungu District
Reason for contesting: I am passionate about pageantry as a whole, but I am also interested in helping vulnerable people in society.
Name: Phina Rebecca Namawa, 25
Occupation: Student at Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) pursuing Accounting Technician Diploma
From: Mbale District
Reason for competing: I want to use the platform to sensitise women and girls about cervical cancer. I know women who have suffered from it, so I want to encourage parents to take their girls (before they are sexually active) for vaccination against this type of cancer.
Name: Mariam Muhamed, 22
Occupation: Currently enrolling for a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Chain Supplies at Kampala International University
From: Central region
Reason for contesting: I want to empower children living with disability because they are a silent group, and people hardly pay attention to them in terms of their needs and issues.
Name: Santina Anshemeza, 21
Occupation: Student at Uganda Christian University, Mukono pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration
From: Western region
Reason for contesting: I have a passion for pageantry, but also, I would love to work with the foundation on different charity projects mostly involved with giving back to communities.
Name: Margaret Naimuli, 24
Occupation: Student at Makerere University pursuing Journalism and Communication.
From: Eastern region
Reason for contesting: I want to be a voice for both children and women living in hardship environments such as slums.
Name: Beatrice Aol, 24
Occupation: Fashion designer
From: Northern region
Reason for contesting: I hope to use this platform to do more advocacy on menstrual hygiene.
Name: Lucky Umimbabazi, 26
Occupation: Businesswoman
From: Western region
Reason for contesting: It is an amazing platform to change the world, mostly becoming a voice for mothers of children living with disability. There needs to be more awareness on disability.
Name: Sibella Nsiimire, 22
Occupation: Studying a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Makerere University Business School
From: Kanungu District
Reason for contesting: I want to use the platform to make friends and connections and hopefully get sponsorship opportunities to finish university. Currently, I do different jobs in order to pay for my tuition as my parents are not in position to pay my full fees.
Name: Nusula Nabirye, 20
Occupation: Studying a diploma in Business Administration from Kampala University
From: Jinja District
Reason for competing: I want to inspire other young girls by showing them that anything is possible.
Name: Nabirah Nagawa, 22
Occupation: Student pursuing a diploma in fashion and design from TEM School of Beauty and Comprehensive Studies
From: Buganda region
Reason for contesting: I wish to use the platform to speak more on the boy-child because they seem to be forgotten. Many times, people tend to come up with campaigns on girls while forgetting the boys. If I won, I would do more work for the boy-child in society.
Name: Elizabeth Nakayiza, 19
Occupation: Student at Makerere University Business School pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Statistics
From: Buganda
Reason for contesting: I want to use it as a platform to better myself, especially improve my public speaking skills. In addition, I would love to do a project on menstrual health, mostly awareness campaigns in schools.
Name: Petronella Acen, 25
Occupation: Student at Kyambogo University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree of Business Studies with Education.
From: Kole District
Reason for competing: There are high cases of school dropouts from my region. The girls are mostly affected as a result of early teenage pregnancies and marriage. For this reason, I wish to use this platform to sensitise girls on such issues while at the same time enlightening them on the importance of attaining an education.
Name: Elizabeth Bagaya, 24
Occupation: Make-up artist
From: Fort Portal, Kabarole
Reason for contesting: To create more awareness on mental illness which is one of today’s silent killers. There is a lot of stigma associated with mental sickness, therefore I want to use this platform to break the ice.
Name: Mariam Nyamatte, 21
Occupation: Marketer
From: Ntungamo District
Reason for contesting: I believe it is the biggest platform any woman can use to address issues affecting fellow women and children.
Name: Gloria Nawanyaga, 23
Occupation: Student at Uganda Christian University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Law
From: Masaka District
Reason for contesting: I want to be a voice for people living with HIV/Aids. This includes empowering them to accept and believe in themselves. In addition, I want to advocate for public health, fight gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and drug abuse in society.
Name: Sheilah Kababoopi Abwooli, 22
Occupation: Pursuing a Bachelors degree of Arts in Education from Kyambogo University
From: Kabarole District
Reason for competing: The Miss Uganda pageant is a great platform to sensitise young people about the essence of staying in school.
Name: Claire Gift Kabahemba, 21
Occupation: Student at Makerere University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree of Arts in Education.
From: Tooro, western region
Reason for contesting: It has always been my dream to participate in this pageant, but also, contesting in it would give me a platform to empower other girls to keep in school and attain an education.
