HakiPensheni

Iradukunda crowned Miss Rwanda 2018

By: Athan Tashobya

Photo by Igihe.com

Liliane Iradukunda has replaced Elsa Iradukunda as Miss Rwanda 2018​.
She was crowned Miss Rwanda 2018 in a colourful grand finale held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre auditorium, on Saturday.
VIDEO: Who is Miss Rwanda 2018: Parents speak to The New Times
She beat stiff competition from the 20 girls who spent 14 days in boot camp at Golden Tulip La Palisse Hotel in Nyamata​,​ but mainly Shannitah Umunyana and Natacha Ursule Irebe who were crowned first and second runner​-​up respectively.
Iradukunda, 18, who represented Western Province weighs 57kg, and ​is ​1.70 meters tall.
Rwanda Inspiration Backup are the organisers of the annual beauty pageant.

 

Iradukunda took home a brand new Suzuki Baleno courtesy of Rwanda Motors​,​ and will earn a monthly salary of Rwf800,000 ​in the next year, ​courtesy of Cogebanque.
She also ​received additional prizes that include air tickets to international beauty contests from RwandAir, ​and cosmetics ​among other goodies from different sponsors.
​Unlike previous Miss Rwanda editions, contestants ​also had an oral test that was moderated by Sonia Rolland, Miss France 2000​,​ and other judges. Results from both written and oral pre-judgement were key in determining the contestants who made it to the top 10. The results were announced during​ the​ grand finale​.
T​hose that made it into the top 10 were: Liliane Uwase Ndahiro, Liliane Iradukunda, Noriella Ishimwe, Shanittah Umunyana, Natacha Ursule Irebe, Lydia Dushimimana , Karen Umuhoza, Paola Umutoniwase, Phiona Uwase and Divine Ingabire
How the girls ​fared in boot camp also increased their chances of succeeding ​the​then-reigning Miss Rwanda​ 2017​.
The jury was comprised of two men and three ladies. They included, Sonia Rolland, a Rwandan-French actress and Miss France 2000; former Miss Universe contestant​ and Miss Rwanda 2016​, Jolly Mutesi​ - ​the first beauty queen to represent Rwanda at Miss World finals​ - ​and Sandrine Isheja Butera, a radio presenter and leading ​Rwandan ​media personalities.
The two male judges were, Gilbert Rwabigwi, the leader of Youth Literacy Organisation (YouLI), a nonprofit NGO that promotes literacy and learning​,​ and Teddy Kaberuka, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of IO4 Progress Limited.

Parents of Miss Rwanda 2018 Liliane Iradukunda

It ​is Rolland’s second time​ being ​on the panel of judges at ​Rwanda's beauty contest. Her first time was in 2009 when Grace Bahati was crowned Miss Rwanda.
Before announcing Miss Rwanda 2018, the chief judge Rolland confessed that "It was not easy, I swear"​, ​as though to confirm the ​surprised silence that swept Kigali Convention Centre auditorium when Iradukunda was announce​d​ the new beauty queen.
Other winners were​:
Miss Congeniality: Liliane Uwase Ndahiro
Miss Photogenic: Liliane Iradukunda
Miss Heritage: Lydia Dushimimana
Contestants sat for a written test to assess their knowledge about different government programmes, the vision and mission of the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant​,​ and their role in society.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw