Miss Uganda's 2026 regional search got underway in Jinja over the weekend, with V&A Sherry partnering with the Miss Uganda Foundation to launch the nationwide hunt for the country's next beauty queen.
The weekend activities opened on Friday at Le Jouri Lounge, where V&A Sherry hosted the "Party with the Queens", bringing together reigning and former beauty queens, media personalities, pageant enthusiasts and invited guests to officially launch the Eastern regional search.
The event served as the curtain raiser to the regional auditions, celebrating the pageant's legacy while marking the beginning of another nationwide search for young women seeking to represent Uganda on the international stage.
The regional tour follows the official launch of the Miss Uganda 2026 season on June 18 and returns the competition to communities across the country in search of contestants with leadership potential, talent and ambition.
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The Eastern regional finale on Sunday saw Nabirye Faith Magero, Ajambo Olivia and Balwaani Patricia emerge as the region's representatives for the Journey to the Crown 2026. The three will compete at the Miss Uganda Grand Finale scheduled for October 10, where the winner will be crowned Miss Uganda 2026 and go on to represent Uganda at the Miss World pageant.
V&A Sherry said its partnership with the pageant aligns with its "Yours to Share" platform, which focuses on celebrating important life moments.
"Miss Uganda is about confidence, purpose and celebrating women who inspire others through their journeys. Those are the moments people naturally want to share, and that's where V&A Sherry feels most at home," said Roy Ronald Tumwizere, Brand Manager, V&A Sherry at Uganda Breweries Limited.
"We wanted to create an occasion where the queens, their supporters and the wider community could come together and celebrate the beginning of another remarkable journey."
Throughout the weekend, guests participated in brand experiences that included signature cocktails, interactive activities and photo sessions, creating a festive atmosphere around the regional launch.
Contestants were assessed on their confidence, stage presence, communication skills and personality, with judges rewarding authenticity alongside beauty during the competition.
An emotional moment unfolded when Nabirye Faith Magero was announced as the Eastern regional winner, drawing loud cheers from supporters as she received her crown.
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"I am very happy that I have won today as queen to represent the East in the Miss Uganda pageant. This means everything to me. I'm grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported me. Representing Eastern Uganda is an honour, and I'm ready for the journey ahead," she said.
The celebrations also brought together contestants, families and supporters, with participants embracing one another in a show of unity and encouragement as the regional event came to a close.
The Miss Uganda regional search will now move to West Nile, Northern, Western and Central Uganda before concluding with the grand finale at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on October 10.
