KAMPALA — She did not wear the Miss Universe Uganda 2026 crown, but for many Ugandans following the competition online, Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio was already a winner.
Acio emerged as the People’s Choice Winner after attracting the highest number of public votes, earning an automatic place in the Top Five of the Miss Universe Uganda 2026 Grand Finale. While the national title eventually went to Mitchelle Daka, Acio’s journey resonated deeply with thousands of supporters who rallied behind her throughout the competition.
Across social media, Ugandans celebrated her authenticity, confidence and stage presence, with many describing her as their queen long before the final announcement. The overwhelming online support transformed her into one of the most talked-about contestants of this year’s pageant.
Announcing the People’s Choice award, the Miss Universe Uganda organisation said the public had spoken.
“The voice of the people has spoken. Congratulations to Kimberly Jael Aremo, our People’s Choice Winner, who has captured the hearts of Uganda through the public vote.”
The organisers noted that the award guaranteed Acio a place among the competition’s Top Five finalists, recognising the confidence placed in her by the public.
Although she fell short of winning the overall crown, Acio added another accolade to her campaign after being named Wellness Queen, an award presented to the contestant who best embodied holistic well-being, resilience and a healthy lifestyle.
Throughout the competition, Acio consistently impressed judges and audiences alike with her composure, eloquence and commitment to promoting confidence and personal wellness. Her performances during the preliminary events and the grand finale made her one of the strongest contenders for the title.
For many supporters, however, the official result did little to diminish her impact.
Messages congratulating the beauty queen flooded social media after the finale, with many praising her for inspiring young women through her determination, humility and positive attitude. Others described her People’s Choice victory as evidence that she had forged a genuine connection with audiences beyond the pageant stage.
This year’s Miss Universe Uganda competition placed renewed emphasis on beauty with purpose, encouraging contestants to combine elegance with leadership, advocacy and service. Acio’s popularity among the public reflected that broader vision, as supporters celebrated not only her appearance but also her character and authenticity.
While Mitchelle Daka will go on to represent Uganda at the international Miss Universe competition, Acio leaves the pageant with something equally significant—the admiration of thousands of Ugandans who believed in her journey from the beginning.
For many of them, the People’s Choice title was more than a consolation prize. It was recognition that, regardless of the final outcome, Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio had become one of the defining faces of Miss Universe Uganda 2026.