Odile Uwase Sangwa is currently in Nigeria, where she is taking part in Miss University Africa 2019 beauty pageant.

Miss University Africa is an annual international beauty pageant organised by Visions, Innovations and Concepts.

Uwase, who was the 2nd runner-up in Miss Rwanda 2019, is among 56 other candidates vying for the crown in this year’s event. The contest started on November 1, and the grand finale is set for November 15.

Contestants must be active university students aged between 18 and 26, not married or with children. Unlike most other prestigious pageants, Miss University Africa participants are not required to compete in swimsuits or bikinis.

The winner will take home $50,000, a brand new car and the title to become the ambassador of students in the African Union.

The pageant, created in 2010 by businessman Taylor Nazzal, is one of the most influential beauty pageants in Africa. It is aimed at celebrating beauty with brain, discourage indecent dressing amongst African students/youths, discover the innate potentials of African students, celebrate African culture/tourism, and the African woman. The pageant also promotes investment and reaches out to the less privileged through the Miss University Africa Foundation, among other things.

Last year, Rwanda was represented by Shanitah Umunyana in the competition that was won by Marlise Sacur from Mozambique.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com