By Our Reporter
The search for Uganda’s next queen is officially underway. The Miss Uganda Foundation has launched the Road to the Crown 2026, and this year, the journey whose theme is ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ is held in partnership with Uganda’s favourite Sherry- V&A.
Held on Wednesday at the Oppein Experience Room in Kampala, the launch event was charged with anticipation, elegance, and the unmistakable energy of a milestone moment. Media personalities, brand partners, cultural influencers, distinguished guests, and the outgoing cohort of Miss Uganda queens gathered to set the tone for what organisers are calling one of the most compelling competitions Uganda has seen in over 15 years.
At the heart of the evening was a renewed partnership between the Miss Uganda Foundation and V&A Sherry, one rooted in shared values of confidence, achievement, self-expression, and empowerment. It marks a meaningful alignment between two platforms that exist, in different ways, to celebrate the best of modern Ugandan womanhood.
That alignment was on full display throughout the night. Guests were welcomed into a space that reflected V&A Sherry’s signature blend of luxe, ease, and flair, where the brand poured its finest sherry liqueur from neat and perfect serves to custom cocktails like the V&A Sherrito, the V&A Queen, and the classic Vangria. It was a fitting expression of V&A Sherry’s belief that life’s meaningful moments deserve to be marked, celebrated, and shared.
The evening’s center piece was the formal presentation of reigning Miss Uganda 2025, Trivia Elle Muhoza, alongside first runner-up Agatha Drakes Keine and the second runner-up. Together, the trio thanked partners and sponsors for standing with them over the past year and for continuing to support the journey ahead.
“We are deeply grateful for the support our partners have given us,” said Queen Trivia, who will go on to represent Uganda at the Miss World competition. “I won’t disappoint when I take to the global stage.”
For Roy Ronald Tumwizere, Brand Manager for V&A Sherry at Uganda Breweries Limited, the partnership felt less like a business decision and more like a natural fit. “I’m incredibly proud that V&A Sherry gets to be part of a journey that gives young women the platform to become change-makers in society,” he said. “It meant a lot to see one of the Miss Uganda Foundation’s own- Hannah Karema go on to contest for Guild President at Makerere University.”
Brenda Nanyonjo, CEO and Founder of the Miss Uganda Foundation, reflected on the milestone with evident pride.”V&A Sherry has walked with us for four years now, and we’re deeply grateful for that partnership,” she said. “We’re equally thankful to God for bringing us this far. We’re now in our 15th year, and we hope to go even further, together with all our partners and sponsors.”
The launch closed with a group photo. Partners and sponsors held a placard marking the official start of the 2026 journey to the crown; a fitting image as the nation now turns its attention to the search for its next queen.
Other sponsors supporting this year’s competition include Oppein Uganda, StarTimes, Evervess Malt, Chint, U-Home, Vaseline, NRG Radio, Sheraton Hotel, Pepsodent, and 7Days Sanitary products.