Effective Tuesday, reigning Miss Rwanda Naomie Nishimwe will independently be responsible for her own management after she parted ways with Rwanda Inspiration Backup, the beauty pageant organisers and managers. The shocking withdrawal comes less than a month since she was crowned Miss Rwanda 2020, in a move that puts an end to Rwanda Inspiration Backup’s four-year tenure to manage Miss Rwanda projects and participation in international beauty competitions. The company also handles the activities of Miss Rwanda and receives the benefits and royalties meant for the beauty queen. “This is to inform the general public that Miss Rwanda 2020, Naomie Nishimwe, will be responsible for her own management regarding her responsibilities, projects initiatives appearances as Miss Rwanda 2020,” reads part of a statement signed by Nishimwe. pic.twitter.com/JtGfpqR6OL — Miss Rwanda 2020 (@NaomieNishimwe) March 17, 2020 Nishimwe explained that the decision was taken to allow her to focus on her mental health initiative awareness as presented during the just concluded Miss Rwanda 2020 campaign. She submitted the project and excelled in other aspects to win the Miss Rwanda crown beating 19 others who went into the final of the beauty contest on February 22 at Intare Conference Arena. However, rumours have been rife that Nishimwe would opt for her own management team and her commitment was confirmed in the statement. She vowed to continue collaborating with Miss Rwanda organisers, Rwanda Inspiration Backup, ‘as far as obligations as Miss Rwanda 2020 are concerned’. When contacted to comment on her statement, Nishimwe told The New Times that she had no more comment to make beyond what the press release states. “As soon as the new management is here, I will let you know,” she said. On the other hand, Dieudonne Ishimwe, the CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Backup which usually manages Miss Rwanda platform could not be reached by press time to comment on Nishimwe’s withdrawal from their management. Nishimwe becomes the second beauty queen to get different management for her Miss Rwanda initiatives after Doriane Kundwa who opted for her own management led by Bruce Twagira after being crowned Miss Rwanda 2015. On her side, Kundwa told The New Times that she believes Nishimwe’s decision won’t affect her project implementation no matter what management she has and pledged to support her in a way or another. “I can’t really say I was or wasn’t surprised by her decision. She is Miss Rwanda, it is her call to choose her manager. What matters is her and me giving my support whenever she needs it because she is the one with the crown, not the management. Our job is simple, to support her as people who have been where she is today,” Kundwa said in an interview on Tuesday. Regardless of what caused Naomie parting company with Rwanda Inspiration Backup, Kundwa, who currently resides in Canada, is confident that she will make it. “I just believe she will do a great job no matter the circumstances. I can’t say much because I don’t know her reasons but I trust her as a smart and wise girl so I believe she has very solid reasons. And if she believes her decision will help her achieve her goals, then that’s the most important part,” Kundwa says. The organisaers are yet to issue a statement on the development.
