Maureen Nyakaira named as Miss East Africa UK 2007

The much anticipated Miss East Africa UK 2007 finally took place on 1st September at the prestigious Conway Hall, London. The event saw 21 year old Ugandan medical physics student Maureen Nyakaira steal the crown under a very stiff competition from contestants from Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Maureen, who is a student at Cardiff University in Wales, expressed a mixed reaction to winning the crown. “I will remember this night for the rest of my life, at first I was shocked, Is it me really? But then that was my number they called,” she said. Meanwhile the crowd cheered as the humble beauty claimed the prestigious title. However the Head judge of the night Actress Rachel Ritfeld described Maureen as humble, graceful and very natural and she would go along way in raising awareness for East African under privileged children.

Miss East Africa UK was attended by guests not only from East African community but other parts of Africa and Europe with special guests of the night ex-war child Emmanuel Jal and Cindy of the famous Ugandan girl band Blu*3. The highlight of the night was the performance by the Sudanese ex-war child soldier Emmanuel Jal. He wooed the crowd with his unique style of gospel rap with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his experiences as a child soldier in Sudan. Emmanuel who grew up in Kenya after being smuggled out of war torn country Sudan had kind words to say to the founder and CEO of Miss East Africa UK; Pauline Long. “I am honoured to be here to support a good cause and I commend Pauline for standing up for vulnerable children, children orphaned through HIV/AIDS and Genocide,” he said. Pauline Long who is also a Kenyan, established the beauty pageant in 2006 in order to sensitize and highlight on issues affecting the East African child. On the other hand, Emmanuel Jal is the founder of GUA Africa; a charity that works with individuals, families and communities to enable then overcome effects of war. He expressed interest in working with the newly crowned Miss East Africa UK.


Maureen Nyakaira who is now officially the 2nd title winner of Miss East Africa UK is expected to emulate Brenda Akot’s accomplishments and achievements. Brenda Akot, Miss East Africa UK 2006, did a tremendous job carrying out charitable duties not only in the UK but also in East Africa where she worked with Nyumbani Children’s home and Rafiki’s children home of Kenya. While handing the crown to Maureen, Brenda said, “I wish you all the best and I trust you will be a brilliant ambassador for the East African children.” The newly crowned queen is already planning her first trip in October; she will travel to Tanzania to volunteer at Forever Angels Baby Home. She will also deliver nappies, wipes, baby food, toys and generally items required for baby care. The home is situated in Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. This Baby Home provides a stable, loving home for up to 23 orphaned and abandoned babies and infants who are severely disadvantaged. The home provides nutrition, love, health care, physical and emotional support until the child is either fostered, adopted or reunited with their family. However, the Ugandan beauty is not a new recruit when it comes to doing charity work and helping needy children. In 2006 she travelled back to her village in her home country Uganda with friends where they built a school for the children. Her passion already lies with bringing a smile to a child’s face. After the Tanzania trip, Maureen will again head to Uganda in January to visit pearl children care Home in Jinja. In the meantime she will continue to do campaigns for Nyumbani children’s home situated in Nairobi, Kenya, Rafiki Children’s home Kenya, orphans of Rwanda and Edukaid of Tanzania.
Apart from her charity work Maureen has won a one year Modelling contract with UK’s top modelling agency Mahogany Models, an exclusive dress custom made for her by top elite designer Moyo by BB designs, she will also get to model for Grace Shannan designs during her reign and will appear in various leading UK magazine spread. The pageant would like to thank all the sponsors and partners listed below for making this event happen: Tumukunde.com, UGPulse.com, Grace Shannans designs, Moyo by BB designs, Mahogany Model management, Shades of Ebony, Kosibah Creations, Godson pictures, Screen nation awards, Karama Umuntu Magazine, Diamond Touch Magazine and (la maison d’Issey )- Mikolo collection

African Beauty Miss East Africa UK