The long awaited Miss Pearl of Africa regional contest kicked off last weekend. Jinja Town played host and witness to the start of the regional pageants.
By 6:00pm, the red carpet and back drop erected at the entrance of Jinja Town Hall were beaming with people. Camera flash lights clouded the atmosphere. Revelers sauntered in dressed to the nines. Because they heard that tonight would be a show like no other, everyone tried to make the mark. Some did impress with their tuxedos and elegant garb while others were epic fails. Nonetheless, they had all come to be a part of a game changer in the pageantry business. They had come to be wowed and wowed they were.
At around 7:00pm, the MC’s of the night, renowned comedian Emmah Napoleone and Shadia Bahati took center stage. Bahati with the sassy references and Emmah with the wild witticisms. He couldn’t stop, that chap. He immediately outshone his female counterpart. Cracking joke after joke, and consequently, setting pace and clearing the fog of boredom that had engulfed the guests.
Shortly into 8:00pm, the Miss Pearl of Africa Busoga contestants hit the run way. They showcased panoply of attires. But two ‘wears’ caught the eyes of the audience. The Bikini and Creative wears. Contestants Jemimah Mbekeka, Evelyn Mugisha, Lisa and Kassana Gorret had entertained. It looked like the pretty Gorret Kasana would take it. And at some point, if it were the crowd that decided, the chubby and full-of-life plus size model, Evelyn Mugisha would be crowned. Yvonne Grande evoked the biggest applause when she strutted the runway with a bare chest, covered in nothing but sim sim. The revelers screamed their voices hoarse. She was as daring as winners come. But it was going to take more than a dare devil to win this one. The judges, Olivia Nambuya alias Mama Oli, Michael Muramuzi and Mercy had different plans. They were looking for a beauty queen, not a slay queen. So they had to pass on her. At the end of the night, Yvone was crowned Miss Congeniality, while Evelyne Mugisha scooped the Miss Personality Crown.
After those announcements, legendary vocalist and musician, Sylvia Kyansuti stepped onto stage. She did a number of songs, much to the crowd’s excitement. Before the band hit the stage, and a traditional dance group entertained. At 10:00pm, the judges had made their decision. And it was that the curvaceous Sharifah Namugabi was the 2nd runner up, while Sarah Tibaleka the 1st runner up, and the Oh-so-pretty and graceful Georgina Nabuloli was Miss Pearl Jinja/Busoga. Contest ended shortly after their crowning.
