Miss Rwanda 2021: Meet the 20 finalists

As the Miss Rwanda 2021 contest enters a decisive stage, each of the 20 contestants is hoping to win the crown at the grand finale slated for March 20, live on Rwanda Television.

The highly anticipated beauty pageant will also be streamed on YouTube where viewers will be charged US$3 to access the online stream. All 20 finalists have been in a boot camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata since March 7.

Kigali has the highest representation at the boot camp with 11 contestants while the Southern province is not represented at all.

Below is what you need to know about each of the finalists:

Amanda Akaliza

Age: 24

Province: City of Kigali

Education: University graduate in International Relations

Project: Linking people dealing with mental health issues to mental health services.

Hobbies: Singing, modelling

Favourite meal: Ethiopian dishes

Esther Ingabire

Age: 19

Province: Western

Education: High School graduate

Project: Addressing dropout rates in Rwanda’s education.

What is the bubble environment like?

We are more focused on working on our projects, no distractions from outside.

Hobbies: Reading stories, listening to music

Sonia Ishimwe

Age: 18

Province: Western

Education: High School graduate

Project: Reducing antenatal care complications.

Why did you join Miss Rwanda?

Since I was eight, I knew I would one day make it to Miss Rwanda and I couldn’t wait to turn 18. So it’s a dream come true.

Hobbies: Movies, reading, listening to music.

Evelyne Gaju

Age: 21

Province: City of Kigali

Education: Student in Business Management, UTB

Project: Awareness in job-creation for youth

Hobbies: Music, playing musical instruments

Laila Kabagema

Age: 19

Province: City of Kigali

Education: University student in Medicine, Poland

Project: Establishing retirement homes for elderly people

What do you think keeps you at the top of the voting in Miss Rwanda?

I have family and friends who support me because they have faith and confidence in me.

Hobbies: Reading books.

Marie-Paul Kayirebwa

Age: 24

Province: City of Kigali

Education: High school graduate

Project: Raising awareness, funds to support dropouts to go back to school.

Would you stop appearing in artistes’ music videos if you won the crown?

That’s a job that makes money like any other. But, if I win the crown, I would stop it and concentrate on my project.

Hobbies: Acting

Grace Ingabire

Age: 25

Province: City of Kigali

Education: University graduate in Dance

Occupation: Works at Ikiringo Project (promotes local dance)

Project: Strengthening education to create competent people through dance as a medium.

Hobbies: Learning new things

Hope Akaliza

Age: 21

Province: Eastern

Education: S.6 finalist

Hobbies: Travelling, making new friends

This is your second time contesting for Miss Rwanda, what motivated you to come back?

This is my passion. When you love something, you keep fighting for it.

Chryssie Karera

Age: 23

Province: City of Kigali

Education: University student in Environmental Planning.

How do you intend to serve the community if you win the crown?

I would find solutions for the pandemic by manufacturing new products out of used or recycled face masks.

Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/ Soda.

Lorita Benita Isaro

Age: 21

Province: Northern

Education: University student pursuing Applied Economics

Project: Raising awareness to help street children be raised in families.

Hobbies: Poetry, reading, traditional dance.

Hense Teta Musana

Age: 21

Province: City of Kigali

Education: High School graduate

What makes your day worthwhile?

When I am having fun with my friends.

Hobbies: Reading books, playing piano, making new friends.

Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/yoghurt.

Nathalie Musangwa

Age: 22

Province: City of Kigali

Education: Business Management student at Akilah Institute

Project: Advocating for women whose children were born with disability.

Hobbies: Have fun with friends.

Larissa Keza Teta

Age: 21

Province: Northern

Education: University student in Public Administration and Local Governance

What contribution do you intend to give to the community if crowned Miss Rwanda?

Raising awareness among people to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Rwanda is targeting a service-based economy, and we need more people venturing in TVET so the country can hit its target by 2035.

Hobbies: Reading books.

Morela Kayitare Isheja

Age: 19

Province: City of Kigali

Education: High school graduate in Mathematics-Physics-Computer Science

Project: Advocating for career guidance in line with Vision 2050.

Hobbies: Reading, dancing, fashion.

Sandrine Umutoniwase

Age: 20

Province: Western

Education: High school graduate

Project: Promoting Rwandan culture through plastic arts.

Favourite meal/drink: Banana, ugali/ milK.

Linda Nkusi Uwankusi

Age: 21

Province: Eastern

Education: High school graduate

Project: Encouraging youth to venture into agri-business.

Favourite meal/drink: Biscuits/ soda

Sonia Kagame Uwase

Age: 20

Province: Western

Education: University student in Marketing

Project: Digital farming

Hobby: Creative arts

Favorite meal/drink: Cassava / smoothies, tea

Lea Umutesi

Age: 22

Province: Northern

Education: Student in Tourism at UBT

Project: Encouraging youth to venture in agriculture.

Hobbies: singing, modelling.

Favourite meal/drink: Chips/ passion fruit juice

Phiona Uwase

Age: 21

Province: City of Kigali

Education: University student in Business Marketing

Project: Facilitating capacity building for youth preparing to pursue their careers.

Hobbies: Watching movies, cooking

Favourite meal/drink: Pilau/ soda

Witness Umutoni

Age: 20

Province: City of Kigali

Education: High school graduate in Customs and Tax operations

Project: Empowering girls with digital skills.

Favourite meal/drink: Fish/ soda