Why Aremo Acio was the real winner of Miss Universe Uganda
At the end of the day, pageants and runways play by different rules. The crown went to Mitchelle Daka, but Aremo Acio walked away with a face the world won’t forget. What counts here is whether you can be spotted in a lineup of 200 girls in Milan, Paris or New York
Aremo Acio, also known as ‘Kimberly Jael, was announced the first runner up for the Miss Universe Uganda pageant 2026 last Saturday. (Courtey)
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WHAT’S UP!
If the Internet had its way, Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio would have won the Miss Universe Uganda pageant that took place over the weekend. Her unique, stunning look and obvious poise went viral, making even international media take notice.
But stunning looks, poise and being extremely photogenic do not make for pageant wins, as a very disappointed Uganda learnt. The question that made the rounds on Sunday was – what were the judges looking for? I have covered dozens, maybe hundreds of beauty pageants, and I still cannot put it in a few words. I have been asked a few times to be on a panel of judges but kindly declined.
A statement purportedly issued by the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) spelt out the judging criteria for the 2026 pageant. I could not find that statement on their website, and there has been no independent confirmation. But it spelt out the criteria as: Beauty – 5%, Elegance & Poise – 5%, Personality – 5%, Communication Skills – 5%, and Passport – 80%. But it was probably just a parody account.
What the judges actually look for is spelt out in vague terms but, according to MUO President Raul Rocha, the finals will be judged over four categories: Personal Interview, National Costume Presentation, Evening Gown Presentation and Swimsuit Presentation. Incidentally, Miss World (the other big international beauty pageant) did away with the swimsuit category, after complaints that it objectified women.
Back to the 19-year-old from Kole district with a mouthful of names. I have not met her, nor interacted with her, so I have no idea what she really is like in person. But from all indications, she has what it takes to make it big on the international modelling scene. She’s photogenic to a fault; the camera obviously loves her, and she seems to love it right back.
It is not about beauty, but all about ‘the look’. Remember when Alek Wek became an international sensation? She is no classic beauty, but probably won’t wake up for a job unless at least $50,000 is on the table.
Alek Wek also opened the doors for a plethora of South Sudanese models, and it was a sign of the times when a jet-black girl from Juba was referred to as one of the most beautiful girls in the world.
Of all the years I covered the Face of Africa model search, I picked the winner only once. We were all surprised when Oluchi won the first one, and also with the subsequent winners, Bevinda Mudenge (1999) and Nombulelo Mazibuko (2000). It was only Senegal’s Ramatoulaye Diallo (2001) we knew was a winner as soon as she walked into the press conference room. Ghana’s Kate Tachie-Menson (2008) looked tired, and we all thought she was too old at 23 years. But she won, anyway, and went on to have quite a successful career.
Our own girls like Aamito, Patricia Akello and Patricia Namayirira would never have won a beauty pageant, but they went on to have very successful international careers as models.
So, if I were Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio, I wouldn’t worry too much about prospects. The organiser of the Miss Universe Uganda pageant, Joram Muzira, obviously knows this. And I bet he has already signed her to his modelling agency, and has probably lined up all kinds of things for her.
She just has to lose that baby fat on her face (maybe go easy on the rolexes?), and let her features stand out. Then she is good to go.
But she really has to do something about that mouthful of a name. If I were her, I would drop the ‘Kimberly Jael’; Aremo Acio sounds just exotically fine, and she might end up just being ‘Aremo’ or ‘Acio’.
Unfortunately, Mitchelle never made it to the really big leagues of international fashion. Striking as she might look, she doesn’t have that special something that would make her stand out. Her look is not unique, and it would be difficult to pick her out from a crowd of international models.
And at 29, Mitchelle’s modelling career has probably hit the ceiling. This is her swan song, and God knows she has worked hard for it.
At the end of the day, pageants and runways play by different rules. The crown went to Mitchelle Daka, but Aremo Acio walked away with a face the world won’t forget. What counts here is whether you can be spotted in a line up of 200 girls in Milan, Paris or New York.
And I bet Aremo can. So, it’s a win-win for everyone. And the girl who didn’t win the pageant might end up winning everything else.
You can follow Kalungi Kabuye on X @KalungiKabuye