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The 20 girls who will proceed to the Miss Rwanda 2022 bootcamp were selected in a colourful ceremony held at PSF Gikondo Expo Grounds on Saturday, February 26.

The 20 girls were selected out of the 70 who made it out of the auditions, which attracted over 600 registrants.

All the 70 contestants had up to one minute to pitch their projects before the judges and convince them that they have what it takes to proceed to the next phase of the competition.

The panel of judges consisted of Dr. Jean Pierre Higiro, a medical doctor and veteran beauty pageant organiser in Rwanda, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) journalists Egidie Bibio Ingabire and Fidele Irizabimbuto, Marcel Ntazinda, a historian, researcher and peacemaker through art as well as Fiona Muthoni Naringwa, a journalist, former model and beauty queen.

The session kicked off with contestants appearing before the judges to introduce themselves and pitch the projects they will pursue to stand a chance to qualify to the next round, which is the bootcamp.

The panel judged the contestants based on three aspects where beauty accounts for 30 percent, content 40 percent and presentation 30 percent. After following all the 70 contestants presenting, the judges went into a recess to determine the top 20.

First to get a pass to the bootcamp was contestant no. 47, Ruzindana Kelia, 19, (City of Kigali), who got a pass to the next round through the popular vote, followed by contestant No.44, Nshuti Divine, 19, (Western Province), who also progressed through the popular vote.

Below is the list of the 18 contestants who were selected by the Judges to proceed to the bootcamp.

1. Uwimanzi Vanessa (No.70), represents the City of Kigali. She is 20 and a high school graduate. Her project will focus on solving family land disputes through mediation.
2. Bahali Ruth (No.3), represents the City of Kigali. The 23-year-old pitched a project that will focus on promoting gender equality and empowering women in performing arts, especially theatre and poetry.
3. Uwimana Marlene (No.69) hails from the City of Kigali and she is currently pursuing a Master degree at the African Centre of Excellence. Through her foundation, she hopes to raise awareness on positive parenting methods and help parents to make families the safest environment for children to grow.
4. Ikirezi Musoni Kevine, (No.10) representing the Eastern Province is a high school graduate and will pursue a project that will focus on instilling patriotism and self-worth among the youth. She is 18.
5. Mutabazi Isingizwe Sabine (No.38) representing the City of Kigali, pitched a project on early mental first aid training that will help to prevent youth from falling into mental illness or depression through early detection and support. The high school graduate is 19.
6. Kalila Leila Franca (No.23) representing the City of Kigali presented her project which will focus on supporting and promoting talents among disabled children, especially the most vulnerable ones. She is 20 and a high school graduate.
7. Uwikuzo Marie Magnificat (No.67) from the City of Kigali got a pass after presenting her project on promoting women in STEM in Rwanda. The university software engineering student is 21-years of age.
8. Kayumba Darina (No.25), from the City of Kigali, made it to the Top 20 after pitching her project dubbed ‘Challenge Rwanda” – an after-school program to give exposure to high school students in rural areas. She is 20.
9. Bahenda Umurerwa Arlette Amanda (No.55), representing the City of Kigali, presented a project that will focus on raising awareness on Maternal mental health focusing on postpartum depression. She is 23.
10. Kazeneza Marie Merci (No.26), is representing the Western Province and her project will focus on creating a gamification platform based on learning and using technology to create jobs. She is 25 and a university graduate.
11. Umuhoza Emma Pascaline (No.53), representing the Eastern Province, will focus on establishing a social fund that will be supporting street beggars, particularly those with disabilities, to start income generating activities. The high school graduate is 19.
12. Keza Maolithia (No.27), from Western Province will implement a project that will focus on empowering youth through entrepreneurship. She is 19 and a high school graduate.
13. Saro Amanda (No.48), representing the Western Province made it through with her project which focuses on promoting education through reading. The 19-year-old high school student wants to work with partners to establish public libraries in rural areas.
14. Keza Melissa (No.28), representing the Southern Province got a pass after pitching her project which will focus on raising mental health awareness and the stigma around it. The 20-year-old is a university student.
15. Lynda Nkusi (No.43), representing the Eastern Province, is 22 and currently studying at the university. Her project will focus on creating online platforms with the aim of using technology to create jobs.
16. Muringa Jessica (No.37) representing the Western Province will implement a project aimed at fighting stunting among children born to teenage mothers. She is 19 and a high school graduate.
17. Ndahiro Mugabekazi Queen (No.42) from Eastern Province pitched a project that will focus on fighting sexual harassment and negative gender stereotyping of girls. The 19-year-old graduated from high school.
18. Uwimana Jeannette (No.68) representing the Southern Province proved that disability is not inability by making it to the Top 20. Her project focuses on advocating for human rights for youth with disabilities in general. The 26-year-old is a high school graduate.

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