When Natasha Nyonyozi stepped onto the Miss Uganda stage in Kampala, few outside her home district of Kabale knew her name. But by the end of the evening, the 23-year-old had made history — becoming the first Mukiga to wear the coveted national crown.
For many in the Kigezi sub-region, her victory felt overdue. While other parts of Uganda had long seen their daughters celebrated in national pageantry, Kigezi — tucked into the hills of the country’s southwest — had waited decades for such a moment. Natasha’s win, then, was more than a personal triumph; it was a proud milestone for an entire region.
Raised in the quiet village of Kyonyo in Kamuganguzi sub-county, close to the Rwandan border, Natasha is the daughter of prominent businessman Francis Mutabazi and Pastor Eva Mutabazi. She grew up surrounded by enterprise and faith — values she says shaped her drive and compassion.
“My dream to become Miss Uganda began when I was ten years old,” she said shortly after being crowned. “This title gives me a platform to speak for teenage mothers, girls without access to education, and those who lack basic sexual and reproductive health care. I want to be a voice for them.”
Educated at Coventry University in the United Kingdom, Natasha holds a degree in Accounting and Finance. But beyond spreadsheets and balance sheets, her heart has long been in social advocacy. She runs her own beauty parlour in Kampala — Girl Hive — and has quietly supported children with special needs, particularly those living with autism.
Colleagues and contestants in the Miss Uganda competition describe her as graceful, composed, and deeply committed to community causes. During the pageant, she was elected by her peers as president of the Miss Uganda class of 2024/25 — a gesture of respect that foreshadowed her eventual win.
At the grand finale, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Natasha stood out not just for her poise but for a quiet confidence that captivated judges and audiences alike. She outshone 27 other finalists, with Suraya Umeimah Bashuaeb and Joan Nabatanzi named first and second runners-up.
The evening was a glittering affair, featuring reigning queen Hannah Karema Tumukunde, Miss World Africa Lesego Chombo, and Halima Ahmad Kopwe of Tanzania. Yet it was Natasha — contestant number 2 — who walked away with the crown and a mission.
This month, she travelled to India to represent Uganda at the 72nd Miss World pageant, taking place from 7 to 31 May 2025 in Telangana. Over 100 contestants from around the globe are expected to take part in a month-long celebration of culture, purpose, and beauty.
On Thursday 8 May, Natasha announced her arrival in India, where she will join other national titleholders for a series of events culminating in the grand finale on 31 May. The competition formally begins on 10 May with an official inauguration ceremony at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
At the pageant’s opening ceremony, Natasha captivated audiences with a national costume inspired by Uganda’s grey crowned crane — a symbol of grace, resilience, and national pride.
Now under the spotlight on the global stage, she remains clear about her intentions. “This isn’t just about a crown,” she says. “It’s about the lives we can change with it.”
