Jinja got its royal moment over the weekend as V&A Sherry partnered with Miss Uganda foundation to elevate the opening leg of their regional search, transforming the start of the Journey to the Crown into a celebration of ambition, sisterhood and shared success.
The celebrations began on Friday, at Le Jouri Lounge, where V&A Sherry hosted the ‘Party with the Queens’, a sunset-to-night experience that brought together reigning and former beauty queens, media personalities, pageant enthusiasts and guests to officially launch the Eastern regional search. Serving as the curtain-raiser to the auditions, the event celebrated the pageant’s legacy while setting the tone for another nationwide search for Uganda’s next queen.
The regional tour follows the official launch of the 2026 Miss Uganda season on June 18 and marks the return of the search to communities across the country in pursuit of young women whose ambition, leadership and talent could earn them the coveted crown.
By Sunday, the excitement had reached its climax as the Eastern regional finale crowned Nabirye Faith Magero, Ajambo Olivia, and Balwaani Patricia to represent the region in the Journey to the Crown 2026. The trio will now advance to the Miss Uganda Grand Finale on October 10, where one contestant will be crowned Miss Uganda 2026 and earn the honour of representing the country at Miss World.
For V&A Sherry, the partnership reflects the brand’s commitment to celebrating life’s meaningful milestones through its ‘Yours to Share’ platform.
“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, the venue buzzed with excitement as guests gathered around the V&A Sherry experience, where signature cocktails, conversations and shared celebrations created an atmosphere that reflected the optimism of a new beginning. Elegant photo moments and branded installations drew guests together, making the activation a natural extension of the evening rather than simply a sponsorship.
The competition itself rewarded authenticity as much as beauty. Contestants impressed judges with thoughtful responses, confident stage presence and personalities that shone through every introduction. Some captivated the audience with effortless charisma, while others won admiration through quiet composure, reminding everyone that the pageant is about purpose as much as poise.
When the final results were announced, emotion swept across the venue. Overcome with joy, Eastern regional queen Nabirye Faith Magero fought back tears as the crown was placed on her head, while supporters erupted into cheers and applause.
“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 celebration belonged not only to the winners but also to the families, friends and communities that had rallied behind them. Fellow contestants embraced one another in a moving display of sisterhood, while supporters captured every moment on their phones, preserving memories that will long outlive the competition.
The regional search now heads to West Nile, Northern, Western and Central Uganda before culminating in the Miss Uganda Grand Finale at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on October 10.
If Jinja is any indication, the Journey to the Crown has begun exactly as it should, with communities united behind their own, dreams taking flight and every milestone becoming another moment worth sharing.
