Uganda's Namatovu is second runner up at Miss International 2019

BEAUTY PAGEANT

TOKYO-Uganda's Evelyne Namatovu has been crowned 2nd runner up in Miss International pageant held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan early today.

The crown was handed to Sireethorn Leearamwat. She is Miss International 2019 and, becomes the first-ever winner of Miss International from Thailand.

Mexico's Andrea Toscano was 1st runner-up, followed by Uganda's Evelyn Namatovu as 2nd runner up.

Colombia's Maria Alejandra Vengoechea and United Kingdom's Harriotte Lane finished as 3rd and 4th runners up respectively.

The 23- year-old Namatovu a student at Makerere University Business School awaiting graduation in Bachelors of Entrepreneurship and Business Management became the second woman in history to represent Uganda in Miss International.

Uganda made its debut in Miss International in 2009 with the five-foot-nine and a half Pierra Akwero 22-years-old at the time, flying the national flag at the 49th Miss International pageant, held in Chengdu Sichuan China.

What makes Miss International different from other global pageants?

Miss International is one of the top four most popular pageants in the world.

Unlike Miss World or Miss Universe, that have mainly focused on health projects especially Miss World, Miss International's primary focus is on establishing international relations and cultural exchanges among nations.

Miss International focuses on business, tourism, peace and international relations. It begun in 1960, in Tokyo Japan and has consistently been held there ever since by the Intercultural Association of Japan.

The pageant emphasizes on building international relationships, promoting culture and lasting peace through activities that bring all the nationalities together, Miss International Uganda National Director Aketch explained.

The goal for Miss International is to merge entertainment, fashion and design, architecture, arts and crafts by bringing out untapped talent among the youth within the country.

Through extensive Miss international events, young people in the arts Industry also get to showcase to their talent to world.

For Uganda there is more positive visibility of our creative industry which has potential to bring in various investment, job opportunities and tourism, Aketch says.

Today in Tokyo Namatovu was only 2nd runners up but despite narrowly missing on the crown, Namatovu was handed the best swimsuit crown in Japan.

Miss Venezuela was awarded for the Best Evening Gown while Miss Guadeloupe was Miss Photogenic. Miss Vietnam Nguyễn Tường San was awarded for the Best National Costume.

Other winners included

Miss International Africa Liberia - Naomi Nucia Glay

Miss International America Peru - María José Barbis

Miss International Asia Thailand - Sireethorn Leearamwat

Miss International Europe Netherlands - Elize Joanne de Hong

Miss International Oceania Hawaii - Eunice Raquel Basco

Miss International Top 8

1. Mexico

2. Philippines

3. Colombia

4. Uganda

5. Indonesia

6. Vietnam

7. Thailand

8. United Kingdom

Miss International 2019 Top 15

1. Venezuela - Melissa Jiménez

2. Thailand - Sireethorn Leearamwat

3. United Kingdom - Harriotte Lane

4. Hong Kong - Kaye Cheung

5. Uganda - Evelyn Namatovu

6. Netherlands - Elize Joanne de Hong

7. Vietnam - Nguyễn Tường San

8. Finland - Jutta Kyllönen

9. Puerto Rico - Ivana Carolina Irizarry

10. Belarus - Maria Perviy

11. Colombia - Alejandra Vengoechea

12. Philippines - Bea Patricia Magtanong

13. Mexico - Andrea Toscano

14. Sri Lanka - Pawani Vithanage

15. Indonesia - Jolene Marie Rotinsulu