Jackline Nabakka, 30, a contestant in the ongoing Miss Curvy beauty pageant has opened up about the challenges she faced while trying to run for other beauty pageants. In an interview with Matooke Republic, Nabakka confessed that she was denied a chance to contest for Miss University, Miss Uganda and other pageants because of her thick, fleshy body.
Nabakka, who said that the mentioned pageants only favor thin girls, went ahead to explain that she was a chubby little girl from her early days. The miss curvy contestant adds that she had started hating herself for it because she was left with no self-esteem.
The 30 year-old contestant also said that she was sexually abused by her step mother’s son, her butt tapped by different men on streets, because her thick body made her look mature.
“When I was in S.2, my step-mum’s brother sexually molested me because my body made me appear mature. And walking about, some reckless men (some conductors, bodaboda men, market vendors) tapped my butt because it was quite ample.” Nabakka said.
The now confident Nabakka narrates that when she delivered her first child, her weight increased, something that made it harder. The mother of four adds that it was only the husband that supported her throughout, as he repeatedly reminded her that she is beautiful the way she is.
“When Miss Curvy came around this year, it’s my husband who encouraged me to register and compete for the title. He convinced me that I had the opportunity of fulfilling my childhood dream of competing in a beauty pageant, and told me I indeed should show off how beautiful I am even as I am Plus-size. He escorted me to the auditions and has supported my being part of the pageant in every way possible.” Says Nabakka.
Nabakka’s goal is to win the crown so that she can empower plus size women to also feel beautiful.
All photos by Matooke Republic