Miss Uganda

Barbara Kimbugwe

Barbara’s home is in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, characterized for its warm welcoming people and beautiful environment. Having just completed her A level education she is waiting to join university. In addition to her education she is also a television presenter on 3W.com, a programme, which explores local city life style. Her dream is of becoming a famous movie star. Interests/hobbies are: Meeting different people, interacting, cooking local dishes and those from different cultures, basketball and performing both the Magunju and Bakisimba local dances. Her motto is "Try and fail but never fail to try".


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. It is the centre of trade, has a beautiful environment and hospitable people.I come from a single-parent family consisting of seven children and a father. My mother passed away during my infancy.

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
I am a presenter of the programme 3w.com on Uganda national television. It is a programme that explores the lifestyle, where, who and what of city life in Kampala.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
I have a big dream of becoming a famous movie star in Hollywood. I plan to use my television experience to heighten this dream.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
This was when I gave a speech at a world peace summit in Kampala. I felt so elated because of the respect given to me.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
The most embarrassing moment in my life was during the Miss Uganda pre-judging session. While doing the catwalk I slipped and fell to the ground in front of the judges. But I rose gracefully like nothing had happened and continued doing my thing.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
My life changed immediately the crown was place on my head, I realised that it comes with a lot of responsibilities, charity work, attending social and cooperate events and so many other things. Being Miss Uganda is a very demanding role in our society. One has to carry herself with a lot of dignity and aura; nothing has to go wrong because she is looked at as role model to all young ladies of the Ugandan society.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
Honourable Henry Okello, Ugandan minister of education and sports. He is a very hardworking man and on top of that he has a wonderful sense of humour.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
God willing if I became Miss World I would like to continue with what my predecessors have done. It’s proof enough that their work has been substantial to the world by giving their whole to empower the image of women around the world. Apart from the charity and social work, I would like to fight for women’s rights and the promotion of girl child education in third world countries especially in Africa, promoting my country to the levels.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
Try and fail, but never fail to try.

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
I have visited the Uganda school for deaf children and a couple of hospitals especially in the rural areas, donating essential things like soap, sugar and blankets. Though recently I was honoured to go to northern Uganda in conjunction with the World Peace Programme, I was able to meet with one of the greatest World Peace initiators South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, visited camps, and donated essentials. I also got to visit some schools in northern Uganda where I talked to the students and encouraged them to value education. I also met with the women in this region and discussed the problems that women face in their societies i.e. early pregnancies, lack of education, lack of rights etc.

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