Leah Nabukeera is no new face to Kampala Edge Times! She’s a columnist here since November 2023 who writes about fashion thanks to her expert knowledge in the field. Recently, Leah participated in Miss Humanity Africa pageantry and won as number four all around Africa. Here’s a conversation I had with her as she narrated how she struggled through it all.
Table of contents
Tell us How You Decided To Join The Race For Miss Humanity Africa
So, my journey to Miss Humanity Africa wasn’t easy. Well, for starters, I’m representing my country, Uganda. The competition came to me after the pageant itself followed me on Instagram. So I’m like, “Okay, who are these people coming in at this moment? Let me see.” So I check out the pageant information in the group, and I see what’s on the flyer, and I’m like, “Fine, I think I should give this a try.” So I pick up their contact, apply, pay for the registration fee, and I’m like, “Yes, I’m ready.” Not knowing that I actually had an opponent, another girl in the same pageant. However, this time, the difference is that I was competing with different countries. And I was like, “Wow, I need support from my own people, and at the same time, my opponent from Uganda also needs support from other people.” It was beautiful, but there’s always panic.
What was the pressure like for you, Miss Leah Nabukeera?
Pageantry is about confidence, and we need the main crown, what you’d call the crown jewel. So at the end of November, I hand in my application. My coordinator for the pageant, Shanny, sends me the whole program of how it’s going to flow, and then she tells me earlier voting starts from 1st December until 1st of February. My heart knocked out. I was like, wow! To top it off, each vote was to be paid for, you know?
What was the criteria for voting?
Each vote went for 500 shillings. In my head, as I got it, it was little money; probably I could convince people. But it wasn’t easy to convince people to even vote for me because everyone is like, ‘Why is the voting for pay? Why is it not for free?’ I had to explain all that, tell them, ‘You know what? It’s like a payment for me to succeed.’ So one week down, two weeks down, the other girls from other countries were having votes, you know, put up, and then for me, I had nothing completely. Everything was just like, boom, zero. So I tell Shanny, ‘You know what? I think I’m backing out. I’m not seeing my support system rise. No one is even promising like, ‘Okay, let me help you.’
How did Leah Nabukeera rise from zero votes?
She’s like, ‘Leah, don’t give up. I’ve got you. When I get salary, I’ll put some for you.’ And I’m like, ‘Okay,’ but to me, I felt like, you know what it is. So I think Shanny tells the CEO in Nigeria what’s happened. She tells her that Leah wants to back out. So while I was home on a weekend, she texted me. She’s called Madam Imewudu. And then she tells me, ‘Leah, why do you want to back out?’ I told her I don’t see anyone supporting me. I’m trying to ask for votes. Everyone’s telling me, ‘Why is it for pay?’ She encourages me, she pushes, she’s like, ‘There’s always a first time for everything, Leah! There’s always a first time for everything. You don’t have to be scared.’ I’m like, ‘You do not understand.’ She’s like, ‘I understand. I’ve been in pageantry.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, even me. I have the same light and this time, this is really serious.’
Why had Leah Nabukeera lost hope?
So, everyone who had promised money, no one did, Kenny, no one did, for the whole of December. So when I got my first salary, I told Shanny, ‘Put this one.’ That’s when I get some votes, say from 10 to 20s, like that. It was later on when I started posting the progress of my voting that people got interested. They’re like, ‘Hey, this thing is serious. We’re seeing other countries winning.’ I’m like, ‘You guys, I was asking for your backup and none of you was helping. All of you are ditching the situation.’
When did people from the public start voting for you?
So later on, some of the people started responding. And then I was also looking out for my opponent because I was like, ‘I’m trying to put in votes, but she’s not stepping up. What is this?’ Most people wake up when it’s like two days to the end of the voting. But I didn’t see her responding, so I also sat in my comfort zone. I just kept praying to God. I’m like, ‘If this is mine, it will be mine.’ But you know you don’t sleep; you have to keep reminding people. Keep in mind people hate reminders; people hate being reminded for pageants like they’re wasting their data or wasting money. So it wasn’t easy.
Who else helped you rise to the top?
So halfway through January, I talked to one of my cousins called Taib. I told him, ‘Taib, ekintu kiganye! It’s failing!’ He’s like, ‘Okay, I’m going to send in votes worth 20k.’ And that’s how I was able to move to 161. Because now I was looking at other countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya. They were all above me. I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve lost hope.’ Well, life moves on and God worked his miracle. I maneuvered and I worked through. When it came to the 30th of January, I called Shanny, my coordinator, and asked, ‘What time does it end?’ She’s like, ‘It will end in two days. That is 2nd February 2024 Nigerian time 12 pm, which would be 2 pm in Uganda.’ So on 2nd February 2024, I went to buy movies, and one of my friends Brenda, who sells them, noticed I was down. Long story short, she’s like, ‘Have this 10k, go top up,’ and then my votes multiply to 195. Remember, time is just running out. When it clocked 2 pm, my opponent had zero and I had 195. So automatically it takes me to the top five. I was the fourth country representing Miss Humanity Africa that passed.
How did you feel after winning Miss Humanity Africa?
I was so excited. I was so happy and told my parents about it and my friends. My coordinator, Shanny, made a banner of congratulations, and I posted it everywhere. Victory is always good. I obviously knew I was going to win. But deep down, you always be like, ‘I hope I don’t lose.’ Because when you’re too assured of winning, at some point you end up losing. But for me, I kept God by myself. I’m like, ‘God, please do not fail me. Just let it be, if it’s mine, it’s mine.’
What’s next after winning the initial voting?
So I made it! And right about now, I’m on level two of the voting. We are working through Instagram and Facebook, whereby one has to like the picture, follow the page, and comment #MHA and #RoadToMissHumanityAfrica. And this voting is actually taking me to win the Miss Popularity Sash. That’s how it is. But like I told you, it is not easy to set reminders and tell people you need help.
Share some advice for girls out there
My piece of advice to girls out there is, if you’re going into pageantry, you have to be strong. You have to be confident, you have to be ready for people falling out on you and coming up at the same time. You have to be careful of people who grow in your winning season, you know? And to the boys, pageantry is a beautiful thing. It’s a good expression. And I’m actually happy that there are countries embracing male pageants. So they should step up.
Final Words From Leah Nabukeera
However, you have to be very, very strong. You know, you really have to try to be strong. You have to try to be there for yourself and also protect your mental health, you understand? So, this is where we are now, hoping to represent my country, Uganda, in Nigeria on the final stage, in Enugu state. For God and my country, I’m hoping to get your support. God bless you. I remain Queen Leah Nabukeera. Bye!
