Ambassador of Peace and Unity in Africa, Sandra Baganda is On a Mission To Unite All Africans

After representing Uganda at the inaugural Miss Africa Beauty Queen pageant in Nigeria in March, 26-year-old Sandra Baganda received the coveted title of ‘Ambassador of Peace and Unity in Africa’. She’s now on a mission to bring peace and unity to Africa, starting with her home, Uganda.

What is the Miss Africa Beauty Queen pageant all about?

The mission and goal of this pageant is to promote peace and unity through beauty in Africa. Not forgetting promoting our culture and norms. All 54 African countries sent representatives. I was honored to represent my country, Uganda, and did quite well, making the top 5 finalists.

How did you then end up with the title of ‘Ambassador for Peace and Unity in Africa’?

The title was given to me as part of my package as third runners-up. My friend from Somalia was named ‘Ambassador for Humanity’ in Africa. The pageant represents so much, and only one person can’t do it all. Each of us has a role play in bringing peace and unity, and restoring humanity and empathy in our lives.

What was your experience during this pageant?

It was exciting and fun. Meeting and mingling with different young ladies from all over Africa. They were looking for someone that would represent her country really well. Just seeing all these young ladies use their poise and different cultures to impress the judges was really empowering.

Now that you have the title, what’s next?

My team and I are planning to do lots of things. This month for example, it’s the global peace month, September 21^st is the Global Peace day. A peace conference is slated to hold in Eastern Uganda in celebration of the day. This will be done in partnership with the UN.

We’re also organizing a peace run themed ‘Right to Peace’ slated to hold on September 30th at Kati Kati. The Prime Minister of Uganda, Hon. Ruhakanda Rugunda is set to be the chief runner. We’re calling upon all peace lovers in Uganda to come through for the run.

Wow, are you doing all this because you’re obliged to because of your title? Are you passionate about it?

If I wasn’t passionate about this, I don’t think I would be doing all this in the first place. Being a beauty queen is a pearl of so much to offer. This is so close to my heart that I’m not planning to take on another commitment for now. I’m building it into something probably bigger than me. I might not be able to share the plans now, but you’re going to see me quite a lot in the next many months.

Are beauty pageants still relevant?

A couple of them are. It’s about the ideology and strategy the pageant is built on that makes it relevant. Also, beauty queens should be able to offer more than just ‘charity work’ and being glamorous. I believe I’m offering more to the table. I’d like to be the voice of the voiceless.

My goal is to unite people of different cultures, races and minds at all levels.

This interview has been condensed

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