By Our Reporter

Uganda made historical past as Miss Universe Uganda topped Mitchelle Daka, 29, of Budaka District, because the nation’s first-ever Miss Universe Uganda at a Grand Finale held on the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The occasion marked the end result of the nation’s inaugural Miss Universe Uganda journey, which launched in May 2026 and narrowed an authentic subject of 25 contestants right down to a ultimate courtroom of sixteen finalists vying for the crown.

Daka, who campaigned on psychological well being and emotional consciousness in communities, will symbolize Uganda on the seventy fifth Miss Universe competitors in Puerto Rico, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s pageant business. Daka was given a model new Toyota Wish along with a money prize of Shs 24,000,000.

Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio of Kole District was named first runner-up and took dwelling a money prize of Shs 5,000,000, whereas Bridget Katungi of Kazo District was named second runner-up, taking dwelling a money prize of Shs 3,000,000. Sureyah Umeimah of Jinja District rounded out the highest 4, being named third runner-up in a powerful displaying for the inaugural version of the competitors.

The Grand Finale was graced by Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Senior Presidential Advisor, who served as Chief Guest, alongside Patron Halima Namakula.

A Platform Beyond Beauty

Organised by Joram Model Management below the theme “Beyond the Crown,” the pageant was designed to highlight management, advocacy and impression alongside magnificence. National Director Joram Muzira Job mentioned the imaginative and prescient behind the competitors was to construct a platform for ladies who’re leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and changemakers able to representing Uganda on the worldwide stage.

“Our imaginative and prescient is to construct a platform that goes far past magnificence. Under the theme, Beyond the Crown, we need to uncover girls who’re leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and changemakers able to representing Uganda on the worldwide stage,” mentioned Muzira.

Throughout the competitors, contestants underwent intensive coaching in management, public talking, media engagement, runway abilities and neighborhood service. Muzira famous that the objective was by no means merely to provide a queen who wears a crown, however a lady who can symbolize Uganda with grace, integrity and goal, including that the crown carries accountability relatively than serving merely as a reward. The eventual titleholder will function an envoy for Uganda’s tradition, tourism and innovation on the world stage.

A Night of Entertainment and Glamour

The night was hosted by Malaika and Deedan, who stored the star-studded crowd on the Imperial Royale Hotel entertained all through the ceremony. Guests have been handled to performances from a lineup of Ugandan artistes together with Tracy Melon, Jiran Seyn, Karole Kasita, Lillian Mbabazi, Minister Rachel Ok and Maurice Kirya (straight off a Cannes Film Festival documentary nomination), amongst others, who collectively introduced color and vitality to the historic night time.

The finale additionally welcomed a particular visitor look from Jean Ojiro, Miss Universe Kenya 2026, underscoring the regional camaraderie surrounding Uganda’s inaugural pageant.

The Grand Finale was proudly powered by V&A Sherry, a Uganda Breweries Limited model, as headline accomplice. V&A Sherry has been a vocal supporter of the pageant’s mission to champion girls’s management, confidence and neighborhood impression all through the competitors. Other sponsors and companions included: NRG Radio, Silverline Ssingo Country Hotel, Pepsi, PluggedIn Communications, MOTIV, ATS Events, Kai’s Divo Collection, Aquafina, JMM, Hair by Zziwa, Casa Capri, Play It Loud, Rev TV, Kinetics, Lueur, Print Creations, Embiro Technologies, Kalangala Resort, Nakyejwe Events Consulting, GG Creatives, Natna Hair, and A Woman’s Worth.

Meet the Finalists

Representing districts from throughout Uganda, the finalists spent the competitors championing causes near their hearts, from psychological well being and childhood most cancers consciousness to women’ schooling, girls’s empowerment and cultural preservation. The high 5 finalists, in no explicit order, have been:

Bridget Katungi, 34 – Kazo District (Western)
Advocates for Early Childhood Development, emotional literacy and optimistic parenting to construct thriving households.

Jemima Mpoza, 19 – Wakiso District (Central)
Champions youth empowerment via schooling, management and psychological resilience.

Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio, 19 – Kole District (Northern)
Passionate about mentoring younger folks, particularly ladies.

Sureyah Umeimah, 27 – Jinja District (Eastern)
Champions ladies’ schooling and encourages pursuit of STEM careers.

Mitchelle Daka, 29 – Budaka District (Eastern)
Focuses on psychological well being and emotional consciousness in communities.

Full List of Category Winners

● People’s Choice: Kimberly Jael Aremo
● Multimedia Queen: Mitchelle Daka
● Miss Personality: Nabuzaale Elina
● Super Model Award: Teopista Aromach
● Wellness Queen: Kimberly Jael Aremo
● The Face of NRG & Play It Loud: Jemima Mpoza
● Best Swimsuit: Patience Mutesi & Joan Nabatanzi
● Miss Congeniality: Bridget Katungi
● Miss Photogenic: Faith Mugisha
● Miss Universe V&A Award: Mitchelle Daka

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