Introducing Miss Rwanda 2021 Top 20 Contestants
In a colourful pre-selection event held at Intare Conference Arena, Rusororo, on Saturday, March 6, 20 girls were able to secure their ticket to the next stage of Miss Rwanda 2021.
The 20 girls emerged out of the 37 girls who went through the auditions of Miss Rwanda 2021, meaning that 17 girls could not progress from the pre-selection stage.
During the pre-selection event aired on RBA’s KC2 channel and on Miss Rwanda social media platforms, the 37 girls took questions from the panel of judges in the language of their choice.
The panel of Judges was constituted by Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, the renowned ‘Agony Auntie’ with vast experience in journalism and communication and Carine Rutari Rusaro, who was the first runner up in Miss Rwanda 2009 and has been a Judge in Miss Rwanda Pre-selection in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Others on the panel were Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) journalists Basile Uwimana and Michelle Iradukunda as well Pamela Mudakikwa, also a renowned communication specialist and commentator on social and developmental issues.
The evening kicked off with the MCs, Luckman Nzeyimana, Martina Abera and Ingabire Davy-Carmel taking to the stage to introduce the contestants based on their numbers, to come and face the Judges.
The questions, which were in line with the Miss Rwanda theme “Beauty, Brain, Culture”, focussed on current affairs, general knowledge about Rwanda and Africa as well as global issues.
After lengthy deliberations and consideration of the answers each contestant gave, 18 girls made it through while two girls – Kabagema Laila and Ishimwe Sonia, who got the highest number of public votes, completed the top 20.
The top 20 girls entered the bootcamp for two weeks at La Palisse Nyamata, until the grand finale which is slated for March 20. The winner will replace the reigning Miss Rwanda, Naomie Nishimwe.
The pre-selection exercise was held in strict adherence to COVID-19 measures, with contestants and organisers who are all in a bubble, not meeting the Judges, while there was no public.
A total of 413 girls had registered online, out of which 37 were selected. The competition is now down to the Top 20, who will all make it to the grand finale.
Below is the list of the Top 20 contestants in Alphabetical order.
1. Akaliza Amanda (No.1) represents the City of Kigali. She is 24 years old and she studied International Relations at University.
2. Akaliza Hope (No.2) represents the Eastern Province. She is 20 years old. She is pursuing Procurement studies at University.
3. Gaju Evelyne (No.5) represents the City of Kigali. The 21-year-old is pursuing Business Management at University.
4. Ingabire Esther (No.6) represents the Western Province. She is 19 years old. She completed High School in History, Economics and Geography.
5. Ingabire Grace (No.7) represents the City of Kigali. She is 25 years old and she is a University graduate with a Major in Dance, a concentration in Globalization and Philosophy & Psychology.
6. Isaro Rolita Benita (No.9) is representing the Northern Province. She is 20 years old and she is pursuing Applied Economics studies at University.
7. Ishimwe Sonia (No. 10) is representing the Western Province. She is 18 years old. She completed High School in Mathematics, Physics and Geography.
8. Kabagema Laila (No.11) represents the City of Kigali. She is 19 years old. She is studying Medicine at University.
9. Karera Chryssie (No.12) is representing the City of Kigali. She is 23 years old. She is studying Environmental Planning at University.
10.Kayirebwa Marie Paul (No.13) is representing the City of Kigali. She is 24 years old. She completed High School in Tourism and Hospitality.
11.Kayitare Isheja Morella (No.14) represents the City of Kigali. She is 19 years old. She completed High School in Mathematics, Physics and Computer.
12.Musana Teta Hense (No.18) represents the City of Kigali. She is 21 years old. She completed High School in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
13.Musango Nathalie (No.19) represents the City of Kigali. She is 22 years old. She is pursuing Business Management and Entrepreneurship at University.
14.Teta Larissa (No.23) represents the Northern Province. She is 21 years old. She is studying Public Administration and Governance at University.
15.Umutesi Leah (No.27) is representing the Northern Province and is 22 years old. She is studying Travel and Tourism Management at University.
16.Umutoni Witness (No.28) represents the City of Kigali. She is 20 years old. She completed High School in Customs and Tax Operations.
17.Umutoniwase Sandrine (No.29) represents the Western Province. She is 21 years old. She completed High School in Art.
18.Uwankusi Nkusi Linda (No.32) represents the Eastern Province. She is 21 years old. She completed High School in Literature, Economics and Geography.
19.Uwase Kagame Sonia (No.34) represents the Western Province and she is 20 years old. She is studying Marketing at University.
20.Uwase Phiona (No.35) represents the City of Kigali. She is 21 years old. She is studying Business Marketing at University.
