Nassanga: her life, her reign as Miss Uganda
Apr 09, 2004
With only four months to go to Miss Uganda 2004, the search for the next beauty queen is set to start at the end of this month
With only four months to go to Miss Uganda 2004, the search for the next beauty queen is set to start at the end of this month. Recently, Raphael Okello and Sebidde Kiryowa caught up with Aysha Salma Nassanga who gave them an insight about the pains and gains of being Miss Uganda.
Question: On August 9, 2004 your reign as Miss Uganda will come to an end. How has it been being Miss Uganda?
Answer: It has been great. My life has changed in many ways. The way I present myself before the public changed because many people look at you as a role model especially the girls.
So, I had to be careful with my words.
Everybody seemed to applaud your predecessor, Rehema Nakuya. Weren't you afraid of stepping in her shoes?
No, I wasn't. She had one year and I also had one year ahead of me, which is also now coming to an end.
What have you accomplished during your reign?
I participated in the Soroti Measles campaign, visited schools, orphanages and war torn areas of Soroti and Gulu. In the schools, I tried to talk to students, especially the girls, about the importance of education. I worked with FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationists) in promoting the girl child education. And I believe we positively changed the girls’ perception of education. I met the president for the first time. It was a wonderful opportunity. He is the most important person I met during my reign.
Tell us about the trials of your reign
Going to the north was a challenge. It was something I had always wanted to do but I was very scared. Apart from that, I cannot really say I faced many serious challenges. May be you, the press (laughs timidly). The press wrote some terrible things about me — concoctions, lies! It was a shock. for example, for my nationality to be questioned in that manner in public, because I have never lived in any other country but this one.
But did that come as a shock, knowing it happened to some of your predecessors like Vicky Nabunya?
Maybe it should not have been that much of a surprise but I did not expect it to get to that extent.
Did you ever at any one time regret being Miss Uganda?
Yes! Something was written in the papers that made me feel really disheartened. I was thinking, ‘Oh God! Why did I get into all this?’
What were your highest and lowest moments?
Travelling to China for Miss World was definitely my highest moment. Also, when I visited Kungu Primary School on Bombo Road, the children were very happy to see me. They sang for me. Apart from my brother, no one had ever sung for me. Another moment is the visit to Jajja’s Home on Entebbe Road. It was both a good and bad experience. Good because the children were very happy to see me. I sang and danced with them. But sad because it was so moving to see innocent babies infected with HIV/AIDS. My lowest moment was the time I went to Gulu and found children sleeping on verandas without blankets.
Is there one thing you would change about this whole Miss Uganda experience?
Umm…. let me see…no, no regrets. I have done everything I wanted to do. Perhaps I regret having not made it in the top 20 in the Miss World pageant (giggles).
Would you do it all over again if given a chance?
No way! Being Miss Uganda is great but I wouldn’t. I have to give other people a chance. Besides, I have other things to do. For instance, it is not easy to study while you are Miss Uganda.
So, what next after August?
I plan to join university and pursue a degree in Law. I love children and want to fight for the their rights. I also want to continue with modelling for Ziper.
Tell us about the man in your life?
(Laughs) I don’t have a man in my life. (Really?) Really. I have had admirers but they always fall shot of the qualities I want in a man, so I gently turned them down. My ideal man is funny, respectful, intelligent and good-looking.
Anyone you have given a chance to prove his worth but failed?
(chuckles and elusively replies) All the good men are taken.
Anything you learnt from your predecessor?
Keeping a low profile is very important. She kept a low profile and I thought that was really cool.
Any advise to the next Miss Uganda?
She should always believe in herself. She shouldn’t let anything or anyone put her down.
Question: On August 9, 2004 your reign as Miss Uganda will come to an end. How has it been being Miss Uganda?
Answer: It has been great. My life has changed in many ways. The way I present myself before the public changed because many people look at you as a role model especially the girls.
So, I had to be careful with my words.
Everybody seemed to applaud your predecessor, Rehema Nakuya. Weren't you afraid of stepping in her shoes?
No, I wasn't. She had one year and I also had one year ahead of me, which is also now coming to an end.
What have you accomplished during your reign?
I participated in the Soroti Measles campaign, visited schools, orphanages and war torn areas of Soroti and Gulu. In the schools, I tried to talk to students, especially the girls, about the importance of education. I worked with FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationists) in promoting the girl child education. And I believe we positively changed the girls’ perception of education. I met the president for the first time. It was a wonderful opportunity. He is the most important person I met during my reign.
Tell us about the trials of your reign
Going to the north was a challenge. It was something I had always wanted to do but I was very scared. Apart from that, I cannot really say I faced many serious challenges. May be you, the press (laughs timidly). The press wrote some terrible things about me — concoctions, lies! It was a shock. for example, for my nationality to be questioned in that manner in public, because I have never lived in any other country but this one.
But did that come as a shock, knowing it happened to some of your predecessors like Vicky Nabunya?
Maybe it should not have been that much of a surprise but I did not expect it to get to that extent.
Did you ever at any one time regret being Miss Uganda?
Yes! Something was written in the papers that made me feel really disheartened. I was thinking, ‘Oh God! Why did I get into all this?’
What were your highest and lowest moments?
Travelling to China for Miss World was definitely my highest moment. Also, when I visited Kungu Primary School on Bombo Road, the children were very happy to see me. They sang for me. Apart from my brother, no one had ever sung for me. Another moment is the visit to Jajja’s Home on Entebbe Road. It was both a good and bad experience. Good because the children were very happy to see me. I sang and danced with them. But sad because it was so moving to see innocent babies infected with HIV/AIDS. My lowest moment was the time I went to Gulu and found children sleeping on verandas without blankets.
Is there one thing you would change about this whole Miss Uganda experience?
Umm…. let me see…no, no regrets. I have done everything I wanted to do. Perhaps I regret having not made it in the top 20 in the Miss World pageant (giggles).
Would you do it all over again if given a chance?
No way! Being Miss Uganda is great but I wouldn’t. I have to give other people a chance. Besides, I have other things to do. For instance, it is not easy to study while you are Miss Uganda.
So, what next after August?
I plan to join university and pursue a degree in Law. I love children and want to fight for the their rights. I also want to continue with modelling for Ziper.
Tell us about the man in your life?
(Laughs) I don’t have a man in my life. (Really?) Really. I have had admirers but they always fall shot of the qualities I want in a man, so I gently turned them down. My ideal man is funny, respectful, intelligent and good-looking.
Anyone you have given a chance to prove his worth but failed?
(chuckles and elusively replies) All the good men are taken.
Anything you learnt from your predecessor?
Keeping a low profile is very important. She kept a low profile and I thought that was really cool.
Any advise to the next Miss Uganda?
She should always believe in herself. She shouldn’t let anything or anyone put her down.