18-year-old Iradukunda, who hails from Kimironko Sector, Gasabo District but represented Western Province in the beauty pageant, weighs 57kg, and is 1.70 metres tall, was crowned Miss Rwanda 2018 on Saturday night. She replaced Elsa Iradukunda, who won the coveted crown last year.
Despite this moment being her childhood dream, Iradukunda didn’t expect to win the crown. She, as she describes herself, was one of the most bashful and soft spoken girls of the 20 who were competing for the crown.
Iradukunda almost didn’t even make it to the six girls chosen to represent her province. She earned her spot on the second run in the pre-selection on probation.
Iradukunda completed Senior Six last year at APADE Kicukiro and her dream is to be a tour operator. Asked why, she says, “Because I love tourism. I will study tourism and become an investor in the sector.”
Her project is to promote cultural tourism, but she says that she will not limit herself.
“I know the other 19 girls had awesome projects too. I want to work with all the people around me to develop my country.
Iradukunda was crowned ‘Rwanda’s fairest’ in a colourful finale held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre auditorium.
She faced stiff competition from 19 other girls who spent 14 days in a boot camp at Golden Tulip La Palisse Hotel in Nyamata.
But, she says, Shanittah Umunyana and Natacha Ursule Irebe who were crowned first and second runner up, respectively, were a force to reckon with.
