Rajiv wants Miss Curvy contestants return to school, gives 25 finalists scholarships

Victoria University has offered a full scholarship to a lucky curvy woman who will emerge the winner of the Miss Curvy Beauty Pageant due to take place today Friday, April 26 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.

Rajiv Ruparelia, one of the directors of the Ruparelia Foundation said they will also give out 70 per cent scholarships on tuition for the remaining 24 top contestants for Masters, Bachelors, Diploma and Foundation programs.

According to Krishna Sharma, the vice chancellor at Victoria University, their aim in partnering is to impart and provide knowledge to the contestants through the scholarships; this will result into career growth. He also said he appreciates the contestants’ leadership skills as they have come to this level after fighting many challenges including but not limited to bullying, body shaming among others.

“We are ready to admit and impart knowledge and skills to these miss curvy contestants in order to promote career growth and equality and also to contribute to the country’s development,” said Sharma.

Victoria University is a premium University accredited by the National Council of Higher Education and Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council. It stands out as a pivot of academic excellence, offering a fresh and intellectually thriving environment that nurtures critical and progressive thinkers. It’s a private university that has been in existence since 2010 and stands out with a first class teaching environment.

Anne Mungoma, the Miss Curvy Uganda Chief Executive Officer lauded Victoria University for coming out with a cause of ensuring that the contestants are skilled and acquire knowledge through the scholarships which they can take up in the desired degree of their choice.

“This will have direct impact and will enhance their career growth and have something to hope for in future.” she said.

Among the major top 10 competitors who might walk away with the Miss Curvy crown today include, Esther Among, Brenda Nambooze, Damalie Nakato, Esther Awori, Maria Praise Nansamba, Milly Nambatya, Jackline Nabakka, Claire Liwanda, Aisha Nabukenya, and Sumayah Nakazzi.

This curvy competition has gone through lots of trials and criticisms from the Public, religious leaders, political figures among others ever since it was launched in February. Critics claim the contest is objectifying women.

However, Mungoma says that the pageant is all about appreciating the Plus-sized women.

“I want to change the narrative of beauty in Uganda. People think beautiful is slim, which is not true. In Uganda almost 60 percent of ladies are plus size and they are denied a change to showcase beauty and fashion. Beauty pageants have been here and no one has ever come out to criticize Miss Uganda beauty contests which are meant for only slim women, does it mean that plus size women are not beautiful?”