The 2019 Miss Uganda North America Beauty Pageant took place on Friday August 30th 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Downtown Chicago. 12 contestants competed for the crown, whose winner becomes an ambassador for Ugandans in the diaspora and wins a tourism, culture and charity tour of Uganda.

The event, dubbed a ‘Night of Awards, Fashion and Culture for Women Empowerment’, featured a red carpet, musical performances and four stages of competition including swimwear, talent, parade of culture and evening garments. Participating fashion designers included Ras Kasozi (Kas Wear), Monica Kansiime (Ipigogo House of Fashion), Adrin Gelvin (Chelimo Styles), Edith Muyinda (Byasima Couture), Dianne Ikiriza (IkiDee Fashions) and Shakira Mutesi (Mavazi).

Pageant Winners and Award Recipients

2019 Rise Up Award for Women Empowerment Voices

Ruth Ndyabahika (Founder Grace Villa)
Jolly Kahunde (Founder Malayika Rescue Mission)

2019 Miss Uganda North America Winners

Winner Vanessa Nansamba
1st Runner Up – Cissy Efata
2nd Runner Up – Charlotte Chemutai
Miss Popularity – Rossette Kamwine
Miss Personality – Bonita Barungi
Miss Culture – Fauzah Nantambi
Miss Talent – Vanessa Nansamba

Teams

JUDGES

Zarinah Tlale (Founder Zari Foundation)
Randi Moxi (Executive Director Illinois International Pageants)
Sheila O – (Media Mogul & Founder of Afrozons)
Gladys Kyotungire (Founder End Child Sacrifice Campaign)
Michael Mugambe Mpiima (Founder Immigration Guide USA)
Dorothy Leticia Nakibirige (Wellness Ambassdor Miss Uganda North America)

MENTORS

Alex Nakato (Founder Black Beauty Events)
Shalom Aburu (Queen 2018/2019 | Founder Aburu Fashion House)
Irene Nakitende Kirabo (Founder Different Better with a Purpose)
Patricia Muumba (Founder The Muumba Project)
Tekla Rudwin Nakazibwe (Radio Host of “The Youth Era” | Class of 2017)
Jacent Wamala (Marriage and Family Therapist | Class of 2018)

TEAM

Hosts
Adoch Acemah Oryema (Host)
Lambert Etibot (Host)

Designers and Stylists
Monica Kansiime (Ipigogo House of Fashion) – Official Fashion Designer (Evening Garments)
Ras Kasozi (Kas Wear) – Official Fashion Designer (Red Carpet / Introductions)
Dianne Ikiriza (IkiDee Fashions) – Official Fashion Designer (Swimwear Wraps)
Shakira Mutesi (Mavazi) – Official Fashion Designer (Opening Dance)
Zziwa Kennedy (Hair by Zziwa) – Official Hairstylist
Phiona Batina (Batina Makeup) – Official Makeup Artist
Vickie Bonita (Vickie Bonita Artistry) – Official Makeup Artist
Adrin Gelvin (Chelimo Styles) – Participating Fashion Designer
Edith Muyinda (Byasima Couture) – Participating Fashion Designer

DJ
DJ Core – Official DJ

Photography
David Aligaweesa – Official Photographer

Coaches
Tibba Murungi Kabugu – Head Coach
Meiko Parton – Pageant Coach
Noelyne Leni ALitema – Class of 2018 – Support
Michelle Namuyaba Mukasa – Class of 2018 – Support

Contestant Management
Irene Nakitende – Contestant Manager
Aida Doris Hewett
Sandra Atwooki
Clarissa Nabanoba

Contestant Wellness

Olga Bagonza – Bootcamp Chef
Jacqueline Nalule Caraway – Yoga / Fitness Instructor

Beauty Pageant Production
Arnold Kyambadde – Executive Producer / Event Program Manager
Julius Kabugu – Scripting / Production
Tibba Murungi Kabugu – Scripting / Production
Esther Kisakye – Ticketing / Check-in / Customer Relations

Marketing / Communications
Julius Kabugu – Director of Marketing and Communications
Isaac Mukisa – Representative Uganda

Sponsor Relations
Julius Kabugu – Sponsor Communications Manager
Tibba Murungi Kabugu – Sponsor Relationship Manager
Kizito Kibyami – Head of Transportation
Charles Wasswa – Transportation
David Ntambi – Transportation

Special Thanks
Eddie Kyobe – Chicago Local Organizing Committee Chairman
Chantal Mbabazi – Chicago LOC Coordinator
Monday Atigo, John Julius Muwulya, Peter Mukunya – Outgoing UNAA Executive Committee
Anthony Kituuka – Executive Director Equity Bank Uganda
James Mugerwa – Managing Director Pearl Marina / Centum
Muhammed Lubowa – All In Trade CEO
Brian Ainebyona – Sales Manager Pearl Marina / Centum
Phillip Otim – Marketing Manager Equity Bank Uganda
Charmaine Yoti –  Customer Experience Manager Equity Bank Uganda
Isaac Mukisa – iConnect Uganda