Miss Rwanda beauty contest has been relaunched to showcase Rwanda's beauty and cultural pride after 17-year break. The beauty pageant slated for December 19, will havehave pomp and glamour as corporate firms have expressed interest in sponsoring the event.

Rwandatel, a leading telecom company in the country is the main sponsor and this pageant is part of events to mark Rwandatel's 1st Anniversary on GSM-3G network in Rwanda.

Announcing the revival of the pageant, Rwanda's Culture and Sports Minister Joseph Habineza said, "I am happy to be associated with this new initiative to organise the Miss Rwanda beauty contest." Habineza promised that the contest to be free and fair to all Rwandans including those in the Diaspora.

This time a jury comprising of models, designers, journalists and eminent citizens will decide the winner.

The jury will choose the best in catwalk, confidence, eloquence and intelligence. The winner will drive away a BMW with a personalised number plate.

Contestants must be Rwandan citizens of 18-25 years, at least 1.7 metres tall, morally upright, and with good public speaking skills.

She will also participate in the Miss World pageant while the first and second runner-up will win cash and hosts of other prizes.

"We want somebody who can speak either French or English. Miss Rwanda is going to be Rwanda's cultural ambassador. She must be fluent in one of the international languages, " Habineza said.

Chief Executive Officer Rwandatel, Patrick Kariningufu, said "Rwandatel is honoured by the confidence the Ministry has placed in us to host an event of this magnitude, for the first time in over 17 years.