With only days left to the Miss Uganda 2025/26 grand finale slated for this Saturday, September 20, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, the city’s conversations have shifted from politics and football to gowns, crowns, and the ideals of the modern Ugandan woman.
At the center of the pageant is V&A, not just as a sponsor, but as a partner reshaping the event into a platform of purpose.
Hillary Baguma, Brand Manager, Mainstream Spirits at Uganda Breweries Limited, notes, “True beauty is in the story, not the spotlight. At V&A, we have made deliberate efforts to elevate narratives of resilience of women from every corner of Uganda, from the shores of Lake Victoria to the hills of Kabale, through this pageant.”
In the past weeks, the 25 finalists have been immersed in an intensive boot camp, where the focus has gone far beyond posture and poise.
Contestants have been trained in eloquence, community leadership, and social impact, transforming the Miss Uganda pageant into a conversation about inclusion, empowerment, and belonging.
This commitment to diversity has been evident at every stage, with more accessible rehearsal spaces and sign-language interpretation during key events.
The impact has also been demonstrated in the “Beauty with a Purpose” programme, where finalists are required to showcase projects in health, education, or livelihoods.
The outgoing queen, Natasha Nyonyozi, exemplified this through her project, focusing on autism advocacy with her book, “Colors of the Spectrum,” which shines a light on Autism and empowers parents and guardians whose children have autism spectrum disorders, creating a lasting legacy beyond her reign.
V&A has backed this initiative with seed funding, mentorship, and a pledge to continue supporting the young women long after the crown is placed.
As Kampala counts down to Saturday’s glittering finale, Brenda Nanyonjo, the Miss Uganda Foundation CEO, remarks that the event will be more than just the crowning of a beauty queen.
“It will be the beginning of a bigger story about beauty, purpose, and inclusion,” she says.
The event will not be short of the glitz and glam that comes with a beauty pageant.
As the contestants strut on the catwalk, the evening will be interspersed with musical performances from Aziz Azion, Tracy Mellon, and Abeeka Band, and an experience to remember courtesy of V&A.
Tickets are going for Shs70,000 for the ordinary pass and Shs150,000 for the VIP pass. The event will be broadcast live on Makula Kika TV on broadcast partner Star Times for those who are unable to attend.