Mitchelle Daka Has Been Crowned First-Ever Miss Universe Uganda 2026

Published: August 3, 2026 Last Updated 13 minutes ago by Esther Ejoh

On August 1, 2026, in Kampala, Mitchelle Daka, a 29-year-old international model, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate from Budaka District, was crowned the first Miss Universe Uganda.

This milestone marks Uganda’s official debut in the Miss Universe pageant, with Daka set to represent the country at the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico later this year.

The grand finale at the Imperial Royale Hotel showcased elegance and national pride. After weeks of competition assessing runway presence, interviews, stage performance, and advocacy, Daka was selected as the winner from a strong group of finalists.

Her crowning not only marks a personal achievement but also signifies Uganda’s entry onto a prominent global platform for beauty, leadership, and cultural representation.

Throughout the pageant, Mitchell Daka consistently ranked among the top contestants. Judges and observers highlighted her confidence, eloquence, and stage presence. She excelled in runway presentations and interviews, demonstrating the poise needed for an international stage.

The model’s influence extended beyond the competition, earning her the Face of Miss Universe Uganda and Multimedia Queen of the Journey awards, which reflect both her on-stage impact and her ability to engage audiences online.

The decisive moment occurred during the question-and-answer segment. Asked what she would do for Uganda if chosen, Daka spoke passionately about the nation’s creativity and fashion industry.

“I believe that we are so blessed to live in a country with such talented people. Every single dress you see on this stage tonight is a representation of the artistry and creativity that exists within our own land,” she said.

Mitchell’s response highlighted her appreciation for local talent and her intention to use the platform to promote Ugandan artistry globally.

Who is Mitchell Daka?

Mitchelle Daka proudly traces her roots to Budaka District in eastern Uganda and has consistently affirmed her Ugandan identity.

Although her family lived in Nairobi around 2011, where she attended school and won Elite Model Look Kenya 2011 at age 15, her nationality and identity remain firmly Ugandan.

Daka lost both parents at a young age and was raised by her late father’s twin brother, who became a key father figure. She has spoken candidly in interviews about the emotional challenges of growing up without her biological parents.

These early experiences of loss and adaptation shaped the resilience and self-awareness central to her public platform.

Daka holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. At 21, she moved to South Africa for further studies, broadening her academic and personal perspective.

She began modelling early and has worked internationally for about ten years, gaining financial independence and exposure to diverse cultures and industries. She is represented by agencies and has established a presence in Uganda, South Africa, and other markets.

Daka’s modelling career complements her role as a businesswoman. She founded Figures The Brand, a sustainable fitness apparel company that combines fashion and wellness.

The brand promotes confidence, body positivity, and healthy living through environmentally conscious activewear inspired by vintage aesthetics.

Fitness has served as both a personal practice and a means of healing, with Daka crediting physical training and mental work for helping her process loss and regain strength.

A defining relationship in Daka’s early adulthood was her friendship with South African student Karabo Mokoena. They met at university in South Africa when Daka was 21 and quickly became close. Daka has described those two years as among the most meaningful of her life, highlighting Mokoena’s openness, empathy, and initiative.

In April 2017, Karabo Mokoena was murdered by her former boyfriend, a case that shocked South Africa and intensified discussions about gender-based violence. The tragedy and its aftermath had a profound effect on Daka.

Te model transformed her grief into purpose by co-founding the Karabo Mokoena Foundation with Mokoena’s sister, Bontle, and friend Stephanie Leong. Through the foundation and related work with shelters and organizations supporting abused women and children, she honors her friend’s memory and works to build safer communities.

This personal history shapes her advocacy for mental health and emotional awareness. Through The Grounded Woman Initiative and her podcast, Daka fosters conversations about resilience, self-understanding, and emotional well-being.

Her vision is to help create a generation of self-aware, resilient, and emotionally connected individuals who can positively impact their communities. She describes her role model as “the woman I am continuously becoming,” emphasizing growth, authenticity, and purpose.

Beyond the pageant, Mitchell Daka has established a public identity rooted in advocacy. She champions mental health and emotional wellness, which she describes as deeply personal issues.

As founder of Figures The Brand and the Grounded Woman Initiative, she encourages open conversations about emotional well-being. Her commitment to these causes was central to her message during the competition and will remain a focus as she prepares for the international stage.

Daka’s advocacy is also shaped by personal loss and friendship. She has discussed her connection to the late Karabo Mokoena and her involvement in the Karabo Mokoena Foundation, which supports abused women and children.

These experiences have deepened her understanding of resilience, compassion, and the need to create safe spaces for women to share their experiences.

The Road to the Miss Universe Uganda Crown

When Uganda launched its first Miss Universe national pageant, Daka entered as Contestant No. 24 representing Budaka District. She presented herself as a mental health advocate, an international model with ten years’ experience, and the founder of Figures The Brand.

Throughout the competition, she demonstrated strong runway presence, effective communication, and consistency. Judges recognized her broader influence by awarding her the Face of Miss Universe Uganda and Multimedia Queen of the Journey titles.

Her performance in the question-and-answer segment was decisive. Asked what she would do for Uganda if chosen, she highlighted the country’s creative talent and the artistry showcased by the evening’s garments, framing local creativity as a national strength.

Before the crowning, she reflected on her journey, describing herself as someone often underestimated who found the courage to succeed through determination and personal growth.

At the finale, Mitchell Daka was announced as the winner. Kimberly Jael Aremo was first runner-up, and Bridget Katungi was second runner-up. Daka received a prize package including cash, a vehicle, and sponsor benefits, but the most significant reward is the opportunity to introduce Uganda to the Miss Universe stage for the first time.

The competition produced a strong top tier of finalists. Kimberly Jael Aremo finished as first runner-up and also claimed the People’s Choice and Wellness Queen awards.

Bridget Katungi was named second runner-up, while Sureya Umeima and Jemimah Mpoza completed the top five. Other special awards recognised strengths across the field, including Miss Personality, Super Model, and Best Swimsuit categories.

The presence of several standout contestants highlighted the depth of talent in the inaugural Miss Universe Uganda class.

While social media reactions included debate and some fans preferred other finalists, the judges’ decision was based on the full range of competition criteria, including Q&A performance, overall presentation, and advocacy.

As Miss Universe Uganda 2026, Daka received Shs 24 million in cash, a Toyota Wish, and exclusive sponsor hampers. More importantly, she earned the right to represent Uganda at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico, where she will showcase Ugandan culture, creativity, and perspectives to a global audience.

Preparation for Miss Universe includes intensive training in runway technique, media engagement, public speaking, wellness, and advocacy. For Uganda’s first representative, this preparation is especially significant.

Mitchell Daka will not only compete but will also introduce Uganda to the Miss Universe stage for the first time in the pageant’s 75-year history.

What Comes Next

As Miss Universe Uganda 2026, Mitchelle Daka will prepare for the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico.

The role requires more than runway skills; it involves media training, advocacy, cultural representation, and the responsibility of leading Uganda’s debut on an international platform.

She has stated that mental health awareness and celebrating Ugandan creativity will remain central to her use of the title.

Daka’s story resists simple categorisation. She is a beauty queen, but she is also a business founder, a long-time model, a podcaster, a woman shaped by early parental loss, and a friend who transformed private grief into public purpose.

Her path from Budaka to South African university life, through international modelling markets, and ultimately to the Miss Universe Uganda crown reflects both personal reinvention and a deliberate choice to turn experience into advocacy.

In an era when pageantry values substance as well as appearance, Mitchelle Daka brings a clear platform and lived resilience.

As Uganda’s first Miss Universe delegate, she steps onto the global stage as both a representative of national beauty and a voice for emotional wellness, creative potential, and enduring strength.

Photo: Instagram//mitchelldaka