By Leonard Kamugisha Akida
KAMPALA
The Citizen Pageant Foundation has launched the fourth edition of Miss Citizen International, with organisers focusing on using beauty pageantry to promote health awareness and community leadership among young women. The pageantry was launched on Saturday 8th August, 2026.
Caroline Akol, the founder and chief executive officer of the foundation, said the pageant was born out of her experience of losing her mother to cancer and witnessing the challenges faced by patients at the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Akol said she had previously contested for Miss Uganda in 2023, but was unable to complete the competition following her mother’s death.
“After losing my mum, I decided to create a foundation called Citizen Pageant Foundation. I was passionate about modelling and decided to open Miss Citizen International and use it to create health awareness on cancer and non-communicable diseases,” she said.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “Her Voice, Her Health, Her Power”, which Akol said reflects the pageant’s emphasis on empowering women to speak out and promote healthier communities.
She said the pageant, which started as a regional competition in Teso in 2023, was elevated to a national contest last year and is now entering its second national edition.
Akol said auditions will be held on September 5, followed by voting, a boot camp and the grand finale on October 20 at Adere Lodge and Bar Grill, Kireka.
She invited girls aged 18 to 29 from across Uganda to participate, saying the competition is open to contestants from all regions.
“We don’t really care about height and all these other things. If you have a purpose that you are going to run, we give you the crown,” Akol said.
She said the organisation currently has contestants from West Nile, Teso and Karamoja and is seeking representatives from other regions.
The organisers also announced Little Miss Citizen International, targeting girls aged five to 16, as part of efforts to nurture young health advocates through schools.
The reigning Miss Citizen International, Johnson Akol Evangeline, said her experience had transformed her confidence and strengthened her commitment to health advocacy.
Evangeline said she had participated in community outreaches, including an Easter meal for children in an orphanage, school outreaches and mental health awareness activities.
“It is not about height, or race. It is about knowing who you are and having a purpose,” she said.
Miss Creativity 2025/26, Anena Linda Martha, said the pageant helped her overcome shyness and develop leadership and communication skills.
A contestant from the West Nile region, Tiko Hadia Aliga, said she was inspired by this year’s theme and pledged to use the platform to advocate for women’s health, education and empowerment.
Akol said the first and second runners-up would represent Uganda in international competitions in Malaysia and Egypt, respectively.
She urged companies, individuals and media organisations to support the pageant through sponsorship and ticket purchases.
“Contestants can fill a registration form online on Africa Votes, and pay Shs50,000 registration fee,” she said, adding that nomination of contestants will be done online on social media platforms by all Ugandans.
The pageant launched on Saturday August 8, at Adere Lounge and Grill Kireka, organizers say will run for two months, with the Grand finale scheduled on October 24, 2026, at the same venue.
“A table goes for Shs350,000/=, VIP – Shs300,000 and Shs150,000,” Caroline Akol, said urging sponsors, partners and the public to support this year’s edition.
