Miss Rwanda 2016, Jolly Mutesi has urged young girls to take part in the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant which will kick off this weekend.

Mutesi noted that beyond promoting Rwandan culture, the beauty contest gives girls a platform to realise their potential and builds their self-esteem.

The beauty queen was speaking during a news conference about the Miss Rwanda 2017 contest, which starts this weekend.

"Miss Rwanda is not only an initiative that promotes our culture; it also gives girls a platform to air out what they can do and creates confidence among them. It is through this that girls are able to do more for their country,” she said.

Mutesi noted that she gained a lot of experience during her reign, like how to take responsibilities as a girl, but also a challenge to be more thoughtful of what women can do to play a part in building their country.

"During my reign, I have had a big experience. I have executed a number of activities related to the youth, women and particularly, tried to represent my country at an international level during last year’s Miss World. This is why I think other girls should consider being part of this competition,” she said.

During her entire reign, the 19-year-old has been involved in a number of activities including cultural tourism promotion activities and collaborated with other charity organisations and community based groups to promote youth initiatives.

She was also the first Miss Rwanda to represent the country at the global stage in 2016 during Miss World which took place in Maryland, United States. She also conducted a European tour where she visited Germany, France, Belgium and Netherlands as part of her Agaciro Kanjye (My dignity campaign) aimed at supporting ex-combatants and fighting malnutrition.

Auditions kicks off

According to the organiser of the pageant, Dieudonne Ishimwe, the first auditions of the competition will take place this weekend in the Western Province.

"The official search for this year’s Miss Rwanda will kick off this weekend and the first auditions will take place in Rubavu in the Western Province. We shall be selecting five girls in every province,” he said.

Ishimwe, who’s also the current manager of Miss Rwanda, announced that this year will be different as there will be live voting to choose the best five girls who’ll compete at the national level.

"This is to give Rwandans a chance to participate in selecting who they think is suitable. We want to make it unique,” he noted.

100 applications have already been submitted through an online application portal on the Miss Rwanda official website.

Jolly Mutesi’s reign ends on February 25, 2017.

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