The hotly contested beauty pageant of Kigali Health Institute finally came to an end when they crowned their beauty queen, last Saturday at Jali Club in Kiyovu.

Paula Murebwayire took the mantle home alongside a cheque worth Frw150,000 and six months free salon services in one of the prestigious salons around town.

Josiane Kanenge and Annick Gahimbire deservedly took up the first and second runners up slots respectively, each winning two weekends at Blavard Hotel in Gisenyi, Frw 75,000 and three months free salon services.

While giving the closing remarks, the rector, Desire Ndushabandi, congratulated and advised the winner to use this position in a beneficial way.

"It is the students who initiated this project that seemed to me like a day dream four years ago. I therefore urge the winner to use this chance and fulfill the vision she has,” Ndushabandi said amidst much applause.

Ndushabandi wished her well and praised the Minister of Youth and Culture for practising what he preaches.

"Honourable minister, it is with great pleasure that I want to thank you for effectively implementing your policies, and take this chance to assure you that we will always carry on your torch showing Rwanda’s rich culture and beauty,” he said.

There were light moments during the ceremony.
Before identifying the gal fittest to be Miss Kiberinka (fit for a cow), one of the contestants shocked the public when she failed to choose the most appropriate language in which to answer questions.

She threw everyone into laughter when, in spite of being advised to speak in Kinyarwanda, she insisted on answering in French.

Even after being given another chance, she could only tell that France was the next World Cup host and completely did not understand that she was also being asked who the US presidential candidates were.

"If she had chosen not to speak in French maybe she would have known that the answer to one of the questions was Barack Obama” a seemingly disappointed member of the jury told students.

She advised them not to opt for harder languages when there are easier alternatives, and lashed out at those who never find pride in their mother tongue by thinking that speaking foreign languages is trendy.

Another contestant also caused laughter at her expense when she said that Tanzania and Rwanda are in the same group in the forthcoming Africa Cup/World Cup qualifiers, and lied that Kigali Health Institute has over 4000 students.

Meanwhile the Guest of Honour, the minister of Youth and Culture Joseph Habineza amused everyone when instead of congratulating the winner, he accused Rwandans of wasting a lot of time.

"I think either Rwandans have a lot of time to waste or have nothing to do at all; because how can you sit here for seven hours waiting to see the best girl in the school?” he wondered, sending every one into laughter.

Ends