Miss Rwanda 2021: Meet the 20 finalists

As the Miss Rwanda 2021 contest enters a decisive stage, each of the 20 contestants is hoping to win the crown at the grand finale slated for March 20, live on Rwanda Television.

The highly anticipated beauty pageant will also be streamed on YouTube where viewers will be charged US$3 to access the online stream. All 20 finalists have been in a boot camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata since March 7.

Kigali has the highest representation at the boot camp with 11 contestants while the Southern province is not represented at all.

Below is what you need to know about each of the finalists:

Amanda Akaliza
Age: 24
Province: City of Kigali
Education: University graduate in International Relations
Project: Linking people dealing with mental health issues to mental health services.
Hobbies: Singing, modelling
Favourite meal: Ethiopian dishes


Esther Ingabire
Age: 19
Province: Western
Education: High School graduate
Project: Addressing dropout rates in Rwanda’s education.
What is the bubble environment like?
We are more focused on working on our projects, no distractions from outside.
Hobbies: Reading stories, listening to music

Sonia Ishimwe
Age: 18
Province: Western
Education: High School graduate
Project: Reducing antenatal care complications.
Why did you join Miss Rwanda?
Since I was eight, I knew I would one day make it to Miss Rwanda and I couldn’t wait to turn 18. So it’s a dream come true.
Hobbies: Movies, reading, listening to music.

Evelyne Gaju
Age: 21
Province: City of Kigali
Education: Student in Business Management, UTB
Project: Awareness in job-creation for youth
Hobbies: Music, playing musical instruments

Laila Kabagema
Age: 19
Province: City of Kigali
Education: University student in Medicine, Poland
Project: Establishing retirement homes for elderly people
What do you think keeps you at the top of the voting in Miss Rwanda?
I have family and friends who support me because they have faith and confidence in me.
Hobbies: Reading books.

Marie-Paul Kayirebwa
Age: 24
Province: City of Kigali
Education: High school graduate
Project: Raising awareness, funds to support dropouts to go back to school.
Would you stop appearing in artistes’ music videos if you won the crown?
That’s a job that makes money like any other. But, if I win the crown, I would stop it and concentrate on my project.
Hobbies: Acting

Grace Ingabire
Age: 25
Province: City of Kigali
Education: University graduate in Dance
Occupation: Works at Ikiringo Project (promotes local dance)
Project: Strengthening education to create competent people through dance as a medium.
Hobbies: Learning new things

Hope Akaliza
Age: 21
Province: Eastern
Education: S.6 finalist
Hobbies: Travelling, making new friends
This is your second time contesting for Miss Rwanda, what motivated you to come back?
This is my passion. When you love something, you keep fighting for it.

Chryssie Karera
Age: 23
Province: City of Kigali
Education: University student in Environmental Planning.
How do you intend to serve the community if you win the crown?
I would find solutions for the pandemic by manufacturing new products out of used or recycled face masks.
Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/ Soda.

Lorita Benita Isaro
Age: 21
Province: Northern
Education: University student pursuing Applied Economics
Project: Raising awareness to help street children be raised in families.
Hobbies: Poetry, reading, traditional dance.

Hense Teta Musana
Age: 21
Province: City of Kigali
Education: High School graduate
What makes your day worthwhile?
When I am having fun with my friends.
Hobbies: Reading books, playing piano, making new friends.
Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/yoghurt.

Nathalie Musangwa
Age: 22
Province: City of Kigali
Education: Business Management student at Akilah Institute
Project: Advocating for women whose children were born with disability.
Hobbies: Have fun with friends.

Larissa Keza Teta
Age: 21
Province: Northern
Education: University student in Public Administration and Local Governance
What contribution do you intend to give to the community if crowned Miss Rwanda?
Raising awareness among people to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Rwanda is targeting a service-based economy, and we need more people venturing in TVET so the country can hit its target by 2035.
Hobbies: Reading books.

Morela Kayitare Isheja
Age: 19
Province: City of Kigali
Education: High school graduate in Mathematics-Physics-Computer Science
Project: Advocating for career guidance in line with Vision 2050.
Hobbies: Reading, dancing, fashion.

Sandrine Umutoniwase
Age: 20
Province: Western
Education: High school graduate
Project: Promoting Rwandan culture through plastic arts.
Favourite meal/drink: Banana, ugali/ milK.

Linda Nkusi Uwankusi
Age: 21
Province: Eastern
Education: High school graduate
Project: Encouraging youth to venture into agri-business.
Favourite meal/drink: Biscuits/ soda

Sonia Kagame Uwase
Age: 20
Province: Western
Education: University student in Marketing
Project: Digital farming
Hobby: Creative arts
Favorite meal/drink: Cassava / smoothies, tea

Lea Umutesi
Age: 22
Province: Northern
Education: Student in Tourism at UBT
Project: Encouraging youth to venture in agriculture.
Hobbies: singing, modelling.
Favourite meal/drink: Chips/ passion fruit juice

Phiona Uwase
Age: 21
Province: City of Kigali
Education: University student in Business Marketing
Project: Facilitating capacity building for youth preparing to pursue their careers.
Hobbies: Watching movies, cooking
Favourite meal/drink: Pilau/ soda

Witness Umutoni
Age: 20
Province: City of Kigali
Education: High school graduate in Customs and Tax operations
Project: Empowering girls with digital skills.
Favourite meal/drink: Fish/ soda