As preparation for the 2012 Miss Rwanda beauty pageant get into high gear, the contestants are turning up in huge numbers to compete for the title.The auditions for the second edition of the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant kicked off on July 14 in the Southern Province, where three girls were selected to represent the province at the national level. On Saturday, three beauty queens were selected to represent the Western Province, in an event that took place in Rubavu district.Esther Uwingabire, 23, a third year finance student at Kigali Independent University (ULK) emerged the winner, while Natasha Uwamahoro, 20, a second year student at the School of Finance and Banking (SFB) took the first runners-up position.Anik Umwamikazi, 21, a second year travel and tourism management student at RTUC, was the second runners-up.Uwingabire could not hold back her excitement after being crowned Miss Western Province. She told The New Times that although it was her objective, she was not sure she would beat all the other contestants."This has really inspired me even more and I am determined to beat all other contestants who will be in the contest to become Miss Rwanda 2012,” said Uwingabire with a smile on her face.She promised that the first thing she will do if she is crowned Miss Rwanda is to collaborate with the Government in coming up with effective programmes to fight against drug abuse, especially among the youth.The three were awarded $100 each with an assortment of cosmetics donated by Simba Super Market.Twelve contestants took part in the contest that attracted hundreds of residents and students at the Rwanda Tourism College University (RTUC) campus in Rubavu.At the event, contestants dressed casually and were taken through a catwalk as well as a question and answer session aimed at testing their intellect.During the event, the Kigali Live Band music group and comedians from Rubavu staged great performances.Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture, said the ongoing search for the country’s beauty queen would give every potential lady an opportunity."For the time, we have organised it in the best way possible to make it perfect than ever before,” Mitali said.Speaking on behalf Mashirika –a local theatre group that is collaborating with the Sports and Culture Ministry to organise this year`s contest,  Gloria Tengera, promised that all contestants in the preliminary rounds would undergo intensive training to further build on their skills.This year’s contest will be held in September under the theme "Beauty with a Purpose; Unifying Rwandan Beauty and Culture”.  The first edition of Miss Rwanda beauty pageant was held on December 18, 2009 in Kigali. The title was claimed by Grace Bahati, who was 18 years old at the time. Bahati, who is now 21 and allegedly pregnant, is currently studying in the U.S.A.