“The negativity from family, friends, workmates and the public in general made me stronger and different today. Where there is negativity, the hormones of resistance are growing stronger.” Sumaia Namuyingo

QN. Tell us about yourself

I am Miss Sumaia Namuyingo. I am a Beauty Queen and a former contestant of Miss Curvy Uganda 2019 under Miss Curvy Uganda Organization. I am also the Miss Curvy Talent 2019–2020. I am a journalist working with Makerere University Business School in the Publications Office. I am a Muslim, a Muganda and a mother. I am also a fashion designer and a ballroom dancer. Lately, I am an Ambassador of Change and a Brand Ambassador under Miss Curvy Uganda Organization.

QN. What inspired you to contest for Miss Curvy Uganda?

I have always had love for pageantry but had never got the platform because of my size. When Miss Curvy Uganda came up, I took a step to be part of the pageant since it is a Plus Size Beauty Pageant.

QN. People have perceived this pageant as one for prostitution and promoting nudity, what do you have to say about that?

Miss Curvy Beauty Pageant was a pageant like any other. It was not about prostitution neither nudity. The organizers, participants and sponsors, where each very respectable people. Those who got the opportunity to be with us right from the auditions to the crowning saw the truth.

Our auditions where based so much on integrity, purpose for the cause and beauty before one went to the next level.

When we went for boot camp, there was a complete change in direction from what the media was writing about to yet a new life for all of us as contestants.

QN. Beauty pageants provide an avenue for female empowerment too. In your perspective, what does female empowerment mean to you and what are the ways women can empower other women?

Female empowerment means a lot to me.

We are living in a world that is filled with stereotypes, shaming and wearing each other down all with the help of social media as a medium of communication.

The world is three times competitive today than it was before, thus no time for one to drag her feet and live in fear. Women can empower each other through holding each other's hands. As we avail shoulders to lean on for each other, let us scan through the blue prints of how to pave way and be positively competitive, loudly but softly be heard and affectionately execute our duties and growing our nation and societies as we grow socially, financially, emotionally, politically, the list is endless.

QN. What is the most important thing you did to prepare for Miss Curvy?

The most important thing I remember doing was trusting my journey to the end with the Almighty.

I believed in myself and conducted enough research on pageantry.

This kept me stronger and I could face any challenges on the journey of Miss Curvy.

QN. Would you like The Miss Curvy Pageant to be back and why?

Yes, I would like the pageant to come back.

The, initiative helped us build our confidence, express ourselves, grab opportunities and most importantly learn about pageantry, which us open doors to numerous social networks that help build a beauty queen and her society.

I miss these a lot because they helped groom a woman to class and character.

QN. What is your message to the government about beauty queens?

My message to government about beauty queens is that it should embrace these ladies and work closely with them in projects like tourism, finance, education, law and order, implementation of policies, campaigns and sensitization among others.

These beauty queens are influential and they have the hearts and ears of their society, which can convey a message that can sink fast into the public.

This grows the nation and earns government more credit.

QN. What activity in your life do you find rewarding?

Socialization (I don't know if it is an activity but it is rewarding).

Everything we are and want to be started with socialization.

We cannot eliminate it if we want to succeed in life, thus making it a rewarding activity.

QN. Do you think curvy women are still looked at the same way even after the miss curvy pageant?

No, they are not. Since the pageant, curvy women are appreciated and admired. They are looked at as responsible and great beings that add color and life in a society as well as transform it.

QN. What will you tell your future kids about these times?

These were times to appreciate each other, stop body shaming and calling people names. They were times to accommodate each other, appreciate each other and hold each other's hands despite the body type and size.

QN. Past or present: Which beauty Queen do you admire the most from any system and why?

In Uganda it is Miss Barbara Asea.

Even though she never won the title of Miss Uganda. Barbara never got a chance to be a run way model despite her resemblance with Alek Wek.

She went ahead and joined the Ugandan Army.

Beauty queens don’t only sit down and be beautiful (according to the public), but they can serve the public differently.

Internationally it is Miss Universe South Africa. She proved to the world that it is not about the long hair, skin color or anybody extras.

It is about the ability to wear the crown and keep it shining.

QN. Any Advice to the world?

Being curvy does not mean being fat! Not that there’s anything wrong with being on the heavier side either. No one should be shamed for the way they look.

Does your body look like a sexy hourglass with vivacious curves, a strong back, and other great “assets”? Do you sometimes have trouble fitting into jeans because your banging booty is too much for those jeans to handle but your waist fits fine? Or is your waist always a tad bit loose if your butt fits well? Then, congratulations, you’re curvy.

Congratulations, because you’re one of the lucky few to be endowed with a body that is a homage to your powerful femininity. So, embrace those curves and be proud to be curvy!