By Swift Reporter
The search for Miss Uganda 2026 has entered a new phase after 22 finalists were officially unveiled during a glamorous Presentation Night held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel on Friday evening.
The event, which was broadcast live exclusively on StarTimes Makula KiKa, brought together celebrities, government officials, women in sport, industry leaders, sponsors, partners and members of the public to celebrate the finalists and mark a major milestone in this year’s pageant.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant as Miss Uganda celebrates 15 years of promoting Ugandan beauty, talent, confidence and ambition while providing young women with a platform to pursue their dreams and make an impact in their communities.
Miss Uganda Foundation Chief Executive Officer Brenda Nanyonjo said the pageant’s 15-year journey has been defined by the transformation of young women’s lives beyond the competition itself.
“When I look at what Miss Uganda has achieved over the last 15 years, I don’t just see crowns and titles. I see lives transformed, dreams realized, and young women empowered to become leaders in their communities and beyond,” Nanyonjo said.
The 2026 search officially commenced on July 26, with the organisers travelling across Uganda’s different geographical regions to identify contestants who demonstrated beauty, talent, confidence and a strong sense of ambition.
Following the regional selection process, 22 contestants emerged as finalists, representing a diverse mix of Ugandan cultures, backgrounds and talents.
The Presentation Night provided the finalists with their first major opportunity to take centre stage before the public as they were officially introduced ahead of the next stages of the competition.
The evening was also characterised by entertainment and brand experiences, with guests enjoying performances from Abeeka Band and popular Ugandan musician Spice Diana.
Sponsors and partners also used the event to engage with guests through product showcases and experiences, including product sampling by Vaseline and 7 Days.
V&A Sherry hosted a special toast celebrating 15 years of Miss Uganda, while Oppein Home created a luxury lounge that added to the event’s elegant atmosphere.
Klaire Komakech, Director of Business Development, said the evening provided an opportunity for sponsors and partners to connect with audiences while supporting the long-running pageant.
Miss Uganda 2026 is led by Oppein Home as the lead sponsor, with V&A Sherry, Vaseline, CHINT, Uhome, Evervess and 7 Days International supporting the competition as partner sponsors.
StarTimes also played a key role in taking the Presentation Night to audiences across the country through its live broadcast on Makula KiKa from 6:00pm.
StarTimes Vice President Kenneth Kazooba congratulated the Miss Uganda Foundation upon reaching its 15-year milestone and welcomed the decision to further expand the pageant’s television presence.
“As StarTimes congratulates Miss Uganda Foundation upon making 15 years, I also take the opportunity to thank them for accepting to demystify the pageant into a TV reality show,” Kazooba said.
He also thanked viewers for their continued support of Miss Uganda on Makula KiKa and wished the finalists well as they continue their journey towards the crown.
With the 22 finalists now unveiled, attention shifts to the next stages of the competition, including the boot camp and other activities leading up to the grand finale.
The Miss Uganda 2026 Grand Finale is scheduled for October 10, 2026, when one of the 22 finalists will be crowned the next Miss Uganda.
Makula KiKa is available exclusively on the StarTimes platform on Channel 229 on the Antenna decoder and Channel 493 on the Satellite decoder.
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