Nineteen-year-old Almorie Nagayi from Masaka City has been crowned Miss Uganda 2026/27, succeeding Trivia Elle Muhoza at the grand finale held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Nagayi was selected from 22 finalists at the event, which also marked 15 years of the Miss Uganda Foundation under the leadership of Brenda Nanyonjo.
Nakato Bridget Prudence was named first runner-up, while Lukia Balunywa finished second runner-up.
Mulungi Angel Liz was named Miss Popularity following a public vote.
Nagayi will represent Uganda at the Miss World 2027 pageant, scheduled to take place in Tanzania in September, according to the Miss World organisation.
Beyond the crown, Nagayi is expected to use her platform to advance initiatives supporting women and girls. Her Beauty With a Purpose project focuses on financial literacy and vocational training to help young women manage money, develop small businesses and work towards financial independence.
According to her profile published by Miss World, Nagayi identifies her mother as her role model. She enjoys swimming, modelling and travelling and has an interest in diplomacy and international relations, which developed after participating in her first Uganda Model United Nations conference.
Nagayi has also spoken about her participation in the Early Careers Program, describing her graduation from the programme as a dream come true. She credited the United States Embassy in Uganda and the American Center with providing opportunities for young people to learn and develop their ambitions.
“Greatness isn’t given, it’s earned,” she wrote in a social media post.
The grand finale featured musical performances by Abeeka Band, Grace Nakimera and Karole Kasita, as guests gathered to celebrate the competition’s anniversary and the crowning of the new queen.
Nagayi now begins her reign with preparations for the international competition, where she will join contestants from other countries at Miss World 2027.
Her predecessor, Muhoza, was recognised as a Beauty With a Purpose finalist in Africa at Miss World 2026.
Uganda’s participation in Miss World dates back to 1967, when Rosemary Salmon became the country’s first representative. Nagayi will become the latest Ugandan contestant to compete in the international pageant.
