Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda’s reign as Miss Rwanda will end on February 22, 2014 when her successor is crowned. She spoke to Women Today’s Doreen Umutesi about the trials and triumphs during her reign. 

"When I decided to enter the Miss Rwanda pageant in 2012, I wanted to be an ambassador for my country but how I would represent my country is what I looked forward to the most. I can happily say I have represented my country well. Even when I hand over the crown; I will not say that my work is done because I still have the Miss Fespam title which I will handover in 2015. So I still have a lot to do, like inspiring young Rwandans especially those in rural areas,” she said.

Kayibanda is a second year student at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology where she is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.  

She became Miss Rwanda in her first year at university.  But she has managed to balance studies and her role as Miss Rwanda.

"In order for me to balance school and the crown which comes with a lot of travelling, I only travel during the holidays. If I completely indulged myself in the activities that come with being Miss Rwanda, it meant I would have to abandon school which is not good.  I’m also happy about the way my fellow students and lecturers treat me. I’m treated as any other student,” the beauty queen explained. 

The beauty queen is doing Civil Engineering at university to prove to people with misconceptions that the course is not for only boys but girls can also excel at it.  

"I want to leave a legacy, not only the fact that I was Miss Rwanda, but I will be extremely happy if my grandchildren are told that the engineer behind a certain beautiful building was their grandmother Aurore,” Kayibanda revealed.  

She also said that as a child, she wanted to be an influential person. 

"I played football and basketball sometime in primary and high school so I always thought I would be a great sports personality. It’s funny that I have not fully embraced what I thought at the time but I’m still happy with what I have,” she said. 

Taking on the global stage

Kayibanda was among the 99 contestants of Miss Supranational 2013 that was held in Belarus.

Although she didn’t win anything, Kayibanda made a statement when she chose to ‘not bare it all’ by walking to stage with her body half covered while showcasing swimsuit wear.

"I know many people criticised what I did because it’s quite common to show off your body in a swim suit. I covered up because I felt more comfortable and I also know with what I did, the audience got to know that Rwandan women uphold their culture and that we are not easily influenced by other people’s norms. I want to also say that beauty can’t be determined by over exposing your body in a bikini,” Kayibanda said. 

She added: "I learnt a lot from the international contests besides meeting people of diverse cultures and background and also having to live with them in harmony, I was able to make friends and gain experience. I was invited by most of the contestants who were my roommates to their home countries which showed that we had created a strong bond. For example in May 2014 I will go to Myanmar on the invitation of the committee of Miss Myanmar.” 

The 22-year-old Kayibanda was crowned Miss Rwanda in September 2012 after being selected Miss Southern Province.

"I have achieved a lot as Miss Rwanda, most especially in the way I have worked with the youth as well as the several charity projects I was involved in. They are quite many but I I’m happy to have been part of them.  One thing that kept me going are the messages and comments that I received on Facebook and Twitter from Rwandan youth, expressing how my speeches and the projects have inspired their lives. I always wanted to become an inspiration and impact the youth and as Miss Rwanda I have achieved it,” Kayibanda stated. 

As anyone who gains popularity especially when they become a beauty queen, Kayibanda encountered the challenges that come with popularity. 

"I encountered several challenges after becoming Miss Rwanda because when a person is prospering, they encounter several barriers.  For example sometimes media outlets published stories that were not true and they hurt my feelings. But I acted in a diplomatic manner. I avoided the media several times to the extent that journalists kept complaining that I don’t communicate. It may seem unethical, but I was also trying to protect myself from bad publicity,” Kayibanda revealed. 

She added that some people would go as far as posting provocative messages on social sites but she decided to maintain her silence all the time. 

When asked how Miss Rwanda has impacted her socially, Kayibanda said: "When one becomes a public figure, a lot changes. Even your friends see you from a different perspective. I thank God that my friends have been there for me at all times. I also made sure that being a beauty queen didn’t change me at all. I use the title when need be but with my family and friends, I’m still the same Aurore.”

During the interview she also acknowledged the support provided by her family and friends especially during her reign as Miss Rwanda.  

What her father had to say

In a phone interview with The New Times, Ladislas Kayibanda, Aurore’s father, said that his daughter makes him proud. 

"I know many parents out there would only want their children to focus on studies rather than indulge in other activities, but I’m happy that my daughter has been able to balance school as well as her Miss Rwanda obligations. I will also say that she has stayed down to earth despite the popularity she gained after becoming Miss Rwanda,” Ladislas pointed out. 

He also encouraged parents to always be supportive in whatever ventures their children take on. 

"If a child has your support and blessings, they will remain on the right track even in ventures that you feel are risky. We should never let the different misconceptions about certain things override the support and guidance we are supposed to provide to our children. You never know what your child is destined to become. Although my daughter’s reign as Miss Rwanda is ending, I want to advise the parents of the coming Miss Rwanda to be supportive of her at all times,” Ladislas concluded. 

Word from a friend

Nancy Atete and Aurore first became friends in 2009 while in high school at Eto Muhima.

She revealed that being Miss Rwanda never changed Aurore despite the popularity that comes with it. 

"She is still the same soft spoken, respectful and cultured friend just like in high school. The one thing she is great at is the way she is always advising us as her friends to respect ourselves if we want be respected in society.” 

"Although we go to different universities, we have maintained the same communication and friendship as before and I will say I’m grateful to have Aurore as a friend. I count on her always,” she said.

Atete is also a second year student at the National University of Rwanda pursuing a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. 

Miss Rwanda 2014 expectations

As it appeared in The New Times article on November 13th, 2013 titled "Miss Rwanda pageantry opens to beauty hopefuls”, in accordance with Miss World standards, contestants will be pre-selected in all provinces and Kigali city and each province will be represented by three contestants. Pre-section began on December 28, 2013 and will end on January 31, 2014.

The interested contestants can apply online at www.missrwanda.rw or fill registration forms available in all districts. Other venues for registration are the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Gender Ministers in all universities, East African Publishers Rwanda offices (town), Cogebanque branches in Kigali-Kisimenti, Rwamagana, Musanze, Huye and Rubavu.

The 2014 Miss Rwanda theme is "My beauty, My skills, My tools for Self-Reliance”.

According to the main organisers, the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Miss Rwanda 2014 will be a platform for women empowerment, building their confidence and capacities. It’s about showcasing abilities using their beauty and skills, for an ultimate purpose of dignifying the Rwandan nation.