Miss Uganda 2019: The highs and lows

By Francis Otucu

Olivier Nakakande, 24, a Business Management student, the eventual winner of Miss Uganda 2019, obviously stood out. Elizabeth Bagaya, a make-up artist and Mariam Nyamate, 1^st and 2^nd runner-ups respectively also smiled home after the contest that was blessed by Miss World, Vanessa De Pounce, who ‘queened’ the winner, flanked by Miss World Africa, Quin Abenakyo.

And as the eventful night came to a close, Nakakande drove home in a Toyota Wish, registration number UBF 193P as Bagaya and Nyamate waved in admiration.

But there were murmurs in the crowd, all saying that despite driving home in the Toyota Wish, Nakakande had her mind elsewhere: Would she fill the huge shoes of Abenakyo? Indeed, many were also overheard saying that Nakakande should immediately start focusing on making a mark at the Miss World 2019 contest to be held on December 14, 2019.

MTN GOODIES

Contestants, participants and social media gurus drowned in goodies courtesy of MTN Uganda

Contestant, Santina Anshemeza was named Miss MTN Pulse, and MTN Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte gifted her with Shs2m and data for the whole year.

Active social media users (Twitter); @Kingfish_256, @Klaking_1 and @igniteivan took home brand new smart phones. They are to pick their prices from Nyonyi Gardens on Monday.

OUMA, SAX

Instrumentalists, Michael Ouma alias Myco Ouma and Joseph Kizito alias Sax soothed revelers, as was expected of the pair that got revelers on to their feet, singing along to a number of songs including Sheebah’s Wankona, On the low, and Case on the guitar and saxophone.

SECURITY

The security was good, both inside the Sheraton Gardens and outside, and the deployment of plain cloth operatives, Local Defense Unit officers, Counter Terrorism and regular police scared off potential ‘haters’.

MCs

Radio City FM presenter, Deedan Muyiia and Anita Fabiola were good for the night, save for the Zari drama. Muyira brought her energy plus participant engagement and jokes while Fabiola kept it the Miss Uganda way-pageantry. Not to forget their appearances. They looked good and well-dressed for the night.

THE LOWS

Aside from the common fellows, Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga was in attendance, but there was seemingly no other senior government officials. Not even the Tourism Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu yet his Mauritian counterpart travelled to attend.

FABIOLA, ZARI ROW

The two socialites Anita Fabiola and Zari Hussein, the former a one-time Miss Uganda contestant, brought their beef to the stage.

This beef must have been carried on from the Tulambule tour promoted by State Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, in which Zari Hassan was dropped and replaced by Anitah Fabiola.

Now, while on stage yesterday, Zari was invited by Miss Uganda pageant organiser Brenda Nnanyonjo to announce the top three out of five contestants. Zari was to open an envelope availed to her but shockingly, she started by saying she is the Boss Lady and cannot do administrative works.

“I am sorry. I don’t do that. I don’t do admin work. I am the Boss Lady but that why I have assistants,” she said, referring to hosts; Deedan Muyiira and Anita Fabiola.

This talk did not go down well with the organizers. In fact, Zari took over the show for at least five minutes until Deedan whispered in Fabiola’s ears to remind her that she is the host. Indeed, Fabiola quickly reminded Zari. “Zari! Zari! I am the show host,” she said as Zari responded, “I know.”

Calm returned when Zari opened the envelope and gave Fabiola to announce the top three. But, this left participants disturbed. But the pairs’ beef is traceable.

Tulambule. Tulambule was an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. Many guess this somehow settles the question as to why Minister Godfrey Kiwanda never showed up for the event.