MISS RWANDA 2022 organisers have cleared the air on social media reports that HIV positive girls are not allowed to contest, stating that the only requirement is that contestants have to be fit and healthy, without dwelling much on the chronic conditions they might have.

Organisers denied reports that HIV+ individuals are not eligible to contest as some reports on social media had suggested.

Meghan Nimwiza, the Communications Director of Miss Rwanda Organisation, which organises and manages the annual beauty contest, said that Miss Rwanda is inclusive and does not limit anyone from contesting as long as they meet the health requirements.

"We cannot ban any contestant from competing because of a certain disease. That would be discriminatory. Unless the contestant is bed-ridden or in a state that does not allow them to meet the rigorous demands of the competition but we cannot stop anybody because of a sickness,”

"Miss Rwanda is inclusive in every possible way but most importantly we need to know the health status of a contestant before they go into bootcamp to know what they require, whether in terms of diet or other needs,” Nimwiza said, explaining why they look at the health of the contestants.

The organisers do not set any particular health conditions to be met by contestants but maintain that they must be in a healthy range Body Mass Index (BMI).

Nimwiza explained that this was set as a bare minimum requirement not to discriminate against any contestants but to ensure that they meet the demands in the bootcamp, which at times can be physically and emotionally challenging.

"We need to be sure that for the two weeks in bootcamp, contestants are in the right shape and state of mind that allows them to compete favourably, which is why we emphasize good health but this is not to discriminate against anybody.

"Most importantly, we need to know because Miss Rwanda is responsible for the contestants in the bootcamp, since the parents and guardians have trusted them with us. These requirements are aimed at protecting the contestants and not to eliminate some,” Nimwiza explained in a recent interview

Single mothers and sexual orientation

Regarding single mothers not being able to participate in Miss Rwanda, the organisers confirmed that indeed single mothers cannot compete in Miss Rwanda because the pageant is pegged on the traditional Rwandan practice of choosing ‘Nyampinga’ (exemplary or outstanding girl) and back then they had to be girls. Once they give birth, they would lose the title.

The organisers maintain that this condition must be met, along with contestants being required to be unmarried.

Miss Rwanda organisers also dismissed reports that contestants who engage in same sex relationships are barred from contesting, pointing out that Miss Rwanda doesn’t look at the sexual orientation of the contestants as one of the requirements.

Nimwiza explained that the organisers cannot look at the sexual preferences of the contestants because that is more of a private matter that has nothing to do with the pageant.

"As Miss Rwanda, we do not look at the sexual preferences of contestants as one of the requirements. We only focus on the requirements which we are in line with the values of the pageant, including the contestant having exemplary qualities but going into their sexual preferences is none of our business,” Nimwiza said in an interview with Igihe.

The organisers maintain that the pageant is as inclusive as possible but contestants must meet the bare minimum requirements, which include being Rwanda, with an ID or passport to show of it, and at least having completed secondary education.

Close to 500 prospective contestants have so far registered for this year’s pageant, via missrwanda.rw and the first auditions will take place in Northern and Western provinces on January 29 and 30 respectively.

The editions will continue to the South and East on February 5 and 6 respectively, before Kigali City hosts the final auditions on February 12.

Pre-selection of the beauty queens is slated for February 26, and will move to the boot camp the next day, whereas the finale will take place on March 19, 2022. This year's auditions will be held physically but in adherence to Covid-19 preventive measures.