[PHOTOS] Mr and Ms IUEA 2023/24 Crowned

This weekend that began with November 17^th brought itself with quite a number of changes at the International University of East Africa, one of them, and the main one, being the newly elected Mr. and Ms. IUEA of 2023. A little narration on how the event went…

Whoever knows about the International University of East Africa likely knows that there is a beauty pageant (or maybe, more of a beauty modelling competition) that takes place every year at the end of the 2^nd week of November. That is regardless, of course, of the  years 2020 and 2021 as these were during the unfortunate time of COVID-19 that came with lockdowns and company. This year, the event was held in the auditorium of the International University of East Africa in Kansanga, like every year, on a bright Friday evening of the 17^th day of November of the year 2023. The temperature was fresh with no rain threatening whatsoever, which would have hindered how we were all slaying, believe you me.

The outfits varied from dressy elegant in dresses and heels to sexy casual in jeans, classy crop tops and ballerinas or the artisanal made flip-flops for women, while for men it was jeans, t-shirts/shirts and sneakers since we all know they don’t need much to look potable; much unlike us girls who need thousands of hours before we are ready and those are not even enough. Nevertheless, to me, the outfits mattered less than the glow that everyone had naturally. Onwards. From the outside view, the event appeared to be well organized with maximum security that came in form of the police force and a lot of glamour here and there that just plainly announced the colors and quality we should all expect. As you all know, IUEA doesn’t f**k around, pardon my French. When we are in, we are. Entirely. We don’t do halfies, excuse us…

That cleared and put aside, it is worth noting that this competition was of the highest importance as it represented a once in a while opportunity for ongoing students to showcase their skills, talents, culture, wisdom and of course beauty. All of those depending on the categories they are instructed to present in. For instance, in this year, they were instructed to present their own project, like it is done every year, of what they would do to the IUEA student community if voted for. But most importantly, they were as well required to showcase their creativity during the creative wear. They were, lastly, to dress culturally according to this year’s theme that was “United in diversity. Beauty beyond boarders”. Therefore, the contestants were to dress in the cultures of their fellow other contestants of their choice and show indeed that they’re all united in diversity and beyond boarders.

If we are to consider, the event didn’t really  start until a little bit later in the evening but that was quite good for us all since it gave time to the crowd that was there to relax a little more in order to take in the whole event and cheer our contestants until the last minute while also giving time to our contestants to finish up with their last minute touches, settling and relaxing remembering that this is just a competition, not a matter of life and death but willing to give it all their best all the same. Next important thing, it allowed the rest of the crowd and personalities of key importance to arrive including, although not limited to; our dear Miss Uganda 2023: Hannah Karema Tumukunde, her 1^st runner up: Ademum Whitney, Miss Tourism Busoga: Ishany Siriman Mwondha, the 1^st runner up to Miss Tourism Ankole: Queen Abigail Kirabo and so many others like Mr and Ms Cavendish 2023, Mr and Ms KIU 2023 as well as some performing artists like Allien Skin.

The auditorium was full to explosion. The DJs were top notch and the judges were so incredibly forthcoming. But, could we really expect less with Judith Heard on board, to name but a few? Certainly not. The dances, music, fashion show and of course the core performance of the contestants to which we were treated, served us well for the night making us not even realize that time had passed and we had reached the wee hours of the following day. Alas, all good things, mostly, come to an end.

Hence, although our contestants gave us a show of a lifetime with their awesome outfits, outstanding answers and amazingly well-thought through projects that showed that they extremely talented and intelligent with a very shining presence on top of being incredibly good-looking. Unfortunately, the crown couldn’t belong to them all. Thus, after a lot of debating from the jury, the new Mr and Ms IUEA for the year 2023/23 became Michael Musemente (Ugandan) and Ililta Nezerab (Eritrean) who amongst many other things, won a full year scholarship. Two fantastic and intelligent souls that with no doubt whatsoever, will propel IUEA to the next level, if not more, during their reign. It is worth mentioning however that, our Ms IUEA is exceptional so much, that she was also voted our Miss Popularity.

Regardless of this outcome, to the kings and queens who participated in this competition, a big shout-out to you all . You are all awesome and the crown and titles were (are still) only the cherries to the cakes that you are. Shin up!