[PHOTOS] Miss Rwanda 2017: 15 head to boot camp

The much-anticipated Miss Rwanda 2017 pre-selection event took place on Saturday at Petit Stade, Remera, with 15 contestants securing passes to the boot camp as the search for the country’s beauty queen continues. All the 26 contestants from the 26th to the first in numbers. / Faustin Niyigena All the 26 contestants before judges remove 11. / Faustin Niyigena Judges Mike Karangwa, Sandrine Sadidi, Carine Rusaro, Gilbert Rwabigwi, and Francine Havugimana were picked from different sectors. / Faustin Niyigena The finalists pose in a group photo with judges and Cogebanque representatives. Cogebanque is the main sponsor. / Faustin Niyigena The event attracted different people, mainly fans who came to show support for their favourite contestants. The 15 girls were selected among 26 who had been picked in preliminary regional auditions. A group of the winners posing for my camera. / Faustin Niyigena A group of the winners waving their Pass. / Faustin Niyigena Laurette Mukunde answers the judges. / Faustin Niyigena All the girls did a catwalk and took questions from one of the judges Mike Karangwa, which mainly focused on testing their knowledge and their understanding their ultimate goals. Other judges were Gilbert Rwabigwi, Sandrine Sadidi, Miss Carine Rusaro and Francine Havugimana. Aisha Umutesi answering the judges. / Faustin Niyigena Belinda Uwase Umutoni arrives at the stage. / Faustin Niyigena Linda Umutoniwase speaks to the judges. / Faustin Niyigena Questions included how social media can be leveraged in the 21st century, the importance of beauty and culture, hands-on skills, women empowerment, among others. After the question and answer session, the judges unveiled those who made the cut. Eleven girls were dropped on the evening. Those who got passes include Pamela Mutoni, 22, Carine Mukabagabo,19, Honorine Uwase Hirwa, 20, and Elsa Iradukunda, 18. Doreen Fiona Ashimwe picks the question to answer. / Faustin Niyigena Fanique Simbi Umuhoza answers the judges. / Faustin Niyigena Nadia Umutesi arrives at the stage. / Faustin Niyigena Others include Belinda Umutoniwase, 21, Aisha Umutesi, 21, Tracy Ford Umutoni, 22, Guelda Shimwa, 20, Laurette Mukunde, 18, Fiona Doreen Ashimwe, 22, Fanique Umuhoza Isimbi, 18, Queen Kalimpiya, 18, Nadia Umutesi, 19, Patience Iribagiza, 19, and Linda Mutoniwase, 20. Just before the event kicked off, Judge Mike Karangwa said expression accounted for 30 per cent of the total marks, beauty 30 per cent, and substance 40 per cent. Fanique Simbi Umuhoza has many supporters including the national teams Rwarutabura. / Faustin Niyigena First runner-up of Miss Rwanda 2016, Peace Kwizera (in black dress) follows the show. / Faustin Niyigena Pamela Umutoni convincing the judges. / Faustin Niyigena Several contestants turned out to be shy while others struggled to express themselves especially in English, despite having chosen the language instead of Kinyarwanda or French. Those who proceeded to the next stage will have their skills polished in the boot camp. From right - Pamela Umutoni, Carine Mukabagabo and Honorine Uwase Hirwa are the first three ladies to get their Pass for the boot camp. / Faustin Niyigena Hope Irakoze entertains the audience. / Faustin Niyigena Rwanda TVs Andrew Kareba and Joannah Keza Kabagwira (Miss Heritage 2015) host the show which was live on television. / Faustin Niyigena The two-week boot camp, which will take place on February 12-24, at Golden Tulip La Palisse Hotel in Nyamata, will give a chance to the 15 beauty pageants to learn more about cat-walking, the values of Rwandan women, the country’s culture and history, among things. The contestants are also expected to visit various sites, including Genocide memorials and cultural museums, while they will also participate in community activities like the monthly Umuganda clean-up exercise. The most popular contestant Honorine Uwase Hirwa speaks always to the judges with confidence in her answers. / Faustin Niyigena Journalist speaks to some of the supporters during the show. / Faustin Niyigena Supporters of Belinda Umutoni Uwase. / Faustin Niyigena Upcoming female DJ Ira plays the music for the show. / Faustin Niyigena The live event, which was aired on Rwanda Television, featured music performances from Tusker Project Fame Season 6 winner Hope Irakoze. The event was hosted by RBA’s Andrew Kareba and Joanna Keza Bagwire while DJ Ira, a fast-rising female deejay, excited the crowd with good music. The Miss Rwanda 2017 finale will take place on February 25 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, formerly Camp Kigali. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS] Miss Rwanda 2017: 15 head to boot camp