While Ugandans are still celebrating Quiin Abenakyo’s remarkable success, they will have to contend with the reality that her reign has come to an end.
Uganda has now got a new beauty queen in the names of Oliver Nakakande who was crowned Miss Uganda at a glamorous event on Friday evening at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
The beauty who hails from Bombi and is a student pursing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management beat 21 other contestants to the crown. The event, which started at about 9pm, encompassed pomp, glitz and glamour, especially by the contestants, who trouped in beautiful gowns done by stylist Tina Brad.
Reigning Miss World, Vanessa Ponce De Leon, who was in attendance thanked Brenda Nanyonjo, the Miss Uganda Foundation CEO for instilling the principles of beauty with a purpose in the girls.
Ponce promised to return to Uganda where she said she fell in love with matooke (plantain). Besides crowning, artiste Grenade came and got the crowd a moment of music as he performed some of his songs. Myco Ouma and Jose Sax also had time to make their instruments talk. They played songs like ‘Wankona’, ‘Motigbana’ ‘On The Low’ and ‘Case’ among others on the Guitar and Saxophone.
When called on stage to announce the top three finalists, Zari Hassan who was one of the judges of the day caused a commotion when she shoved an envelope with names of the three finalists at Anita Fabiola, one of the night’s emcees, and repeatedly commanding her to catch them mid-air.
When Fabiola told Zari she was being disrespectful and it was not the time or place to do that, the boss lady paused the announcement of the three finalists and went and started defending herself, attracting boos from the guests.
At the end of the night, Elizabeth Bagaya emerged 1st runner up, Mariam Nyamatte second runner up and Nakakande drove away in her brand new Toyota Wish Red branded Miss Uganda.
One of the members on this forum requested me to explain the issues that are now appearing in the press regarding the case of Quiin Abenakyo who was last year crowned as Miss Uganda and also Miss Africa.
It is true that Quiin Abenakyo was our student at Makerere University Business School. She was pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Computing.
Abenakyo was like many other students in their third year of studies who may have had a retake in a course of their study.
Among the subjects many of our student have retakes in is Accounting, Quantitative Methods and Financial Management. Abenakyo had a retake in Financial Management.
These are courses which those people who have no mathematical background have no interest and always find a problem, and indeed many get retakes.
Abenakyo came to me and explained that she had a retake in Financial Management, however she was unable to retake it with her colleagues because of her involvement in the Miss Uganda beauty contest. Subsequently, Abenakyo informed me that she had been able to move to Miss World contest and was performing well.
Abenakyo was supported by many Ugandans during the Miss World Beauty Contest and indeed she brought fame to the country.
Abenakyo finally took the third position in the Miss World and was awarded Miss Africa Beauty Queen.
This is something Ugandans were proud of and indeed congratulated her for this achievement.
She thereafter returned to Uganda and approached me regarding retaking the course she had failed.
As we approached the end of year festive season, I asked her to see me in the New Year which she did.
I then wrote to the Vice Chancellor requesting that Ms. Abenkayo be given the opportunity to retake the papers.
Ms. Abenakyo was granted the opportunity to retake the paper which was then set and marked. By that time, the graduation book had been published.
The reasons we considered Ms. Abenakyos request were threefold;
a) She made the country proud. It was worthwhile that Ms. Abenakyo be supported to complete her degree. Otherwise we would have a problem as the country would be embarrassed.
If this beauty queen was found to be wanting in academics in fact negative press which was expected would have been worse if she had not graduated.
b) Ms. Abenakyo had written earlier requesting that she be granted the opportunity to retake and given her achievements and the request it was only worthwhile that she is granted the request.
c) Ms. Abenakyo had informed me that in the coming eight (8) months, she had obligations with Miss Uganda and Miss World Organisation and would not be able to retake that paper soon.
In our view allowing Ms. Abenakyo to sit the exam was preferable than not doing as this would bring the country more shame. So it is true that Ms. Abenakyo had a retake, was granted permission to sit the paper and was examined so as to enable her graduate.
I have learnt however, that the current crisis in Makerere University may be one of the causes of the outbursts about Abenakyo. It is important to note that she was supported in good faith.
I have also learnt however that the Isebantu of Busoga is planning to congratulate Abenakyo on this notable achievement. Abenkayo has an agenda of supporting the girl child.
She has wanted to use her fame and position to support vulnerable people in our society. I believe our country can benefit from her influence.
It is unfortunate that some people are seeking to destroy that influence. Ugandans should agree that Abenakyo should be an asset to the country to support positive change in the community especially among young girls and the youth. WASWA BALUNYWA
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has the said the government will support Miss Uganda Foundation. The president said this last evening while welcoming Miss Uganda, Quiin Abenakyo, from Miss World Competition in China where she was crowned Miss World Africa and became number 5th overall. The meeting was at State House Entebbe. Here is the President’s statement on the matter;
“Muzukulu Quiin Abenakyo, the current Miss Uganda, who was recently crowned Miss World Africa, this evening paid a courtesy call on me at State House, Entebbe.
I congratulate our muzukulu on these accolades and also salute her for recently completing her university degree course. She is a true definition of beauty coupled with brains.
She also told me she is an advocate of responsible living among young people. She is specifically focusing on helping young girls lead responsible, healthy lifestyles.
I must commend Abenakyo’s parents for raising her with values. Many young people today rush into promiscuity and ruin their lives, yet a little patience and completing school would give them a foundation on which to enjoy the rest of their lives with their spouses.
Abenakyo is indeed a tall, beautiful Musoga girl. My only concern is that she was wearing Indian hair. I have encouraged her to keep her natural, African hair. We must show African beauty in its natural form.
Again, I congratulate Muzukulu Abenakyo on this feat. Going forward, the government will support the Miss Uganda Foundation,” Museveni said.
Uganda’s very own Miss Uganda 2018 Quiin Abenakyo won the title of Miss World Africa and finished in 4th place out of 118 contestants at the Miss World 2018 pageant which took place in Sanyu City Arena, China on December 8th, 2018. This was the best finish for Uganda in the history of the annual beauty pageant.
Quiin Abenakyo’s stunning looks combined with her intellect, personality and impressive “beauty with a purpose” project impressed the judges throughout the competition. After Quiin won the head to head challenge and was confirmed in the top 40 semi-finalists, the entire nation got behind her to rally for votes. The online voting campaign was enhanced by numerous celebrities, socialites, influencers, politicians and corporate companies who showed support on their social media pages.
Earlier this year in April, Miss Uganda franchise holders Kezzi Entertainment announced their new joint venture partnership with Talent Africa, Uganda’s leading event, talent and entertainment company. Talent Africa promised to bring glamour, flair and showbiz to the Miss Uganda Pageant. After an extremely competitive judging process which at times faced mixed feelings from the public, the Miss Uganda team remained positive and promised to send a beauty queen that could compete on a international level at Miss World. With Quiin Abenakyo’s success at Miss World, it is clear the that judges made the right choice. The judging panel consisted of Brenda Nanyonjo, Sylvia Namutebi, Stella Nantumbwe, Nana Kagga, Brian Ahumuza, Maggie Kigozi and Zari Hassan amongst others.
The Miss Uganda pageant and Miss World journey is brought to you by Kezzi Entertainment and Talent Africa in conjunction with the sponsors:
Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Holiday Territory, Pan Afric Group, Princess Pads, Luc Belaire, Virginia Black Whiskey, Oakwood Decor, Photo 4 Fashion, RadioCity 97fm, NBS TV, Reach a Hand Foundation, Spruced, Smukke Lashes, Chris Hair, Beats By Dyrk, Jefferson Bridal Beauty Salon and UNAA Causes.
For more information contact info@talentafricagroup.com