Farmer Becomes Miss Uganda

23-year-old farmer, Leah Kalanguka, has beaten all comers to emerge Miss Uganda. The virtually unknown Leah from Busembatya in Iganga district in the Eastern region, is also a Computer Engineering student in the prestigious Makerere University. According to the Ugandan Observer Newspaper, Leah did not have that 'wow' or the 'Oh my God' look, but her infectious smile and confidence before the judges outwitted 19 other girls to the crown, winning herself a brand new Toyota Spacio and monthly allowance of Shs 1 million for her entire reign until 2015. She told The Observer moments later that when she left their Kampala home in Muyenga, she was faithful she would emerge winner and wouldn't let anything stand her way to the crown. When I heard that this year's theme is about agribusiness to ensure promoting agricultural entrepreneurship among the youth, I knew this is something I could do because I am involved in farming. Kalanguka missed the eastern regional search because she was away in Tooro, helping out to teach youths how to grow cabbages, something she learnt from her mother, an agriculture teacher at Makerere College School. But she made it a point to enter the Kampala pre-selection, which was open to all single girls who have never given birth and who are between the ages of 18 and 24. It was then that she caught the eye of the judges and made it to the finalists' list. Kalanguka confesses that she didn't know much about what it takes to be a beauty queen, but Joram Muzira, one of the Miss Uganda tutors, helped her a lot. I come from a family where you have to be the best. So, in every challenge, I take keen note on how to outwit others. I focused on what Joram taught me, especially how to impress the judges and how to smile. The third born in a family of six girls, Kalanguka may be no stranger to friendly cat fights. All her five sisters were in attendance, screaming their lungs out from the moment she took an early lead as Miss Photogenic.