Miss Rwanda 2009
# Miss Rwanda 2009

Miss Rwanda 2009, the 2nd edition of the Miss Rwanda pageant, was held on December 19, 2009 at Gikondo Expo Grounds in Kigali.

The winner, Grace Bahati succeeded Dalila Uwera, Miss Rwanda 1993.

## Results

| Final Results | Contestant |
| - | - |
| Miss Rwanda 2009 | Southern Province - Grace Bahati |
| 1st Runner-up | Southern Province - Carine Utamuliza Rusaro |
| 2nd Runner-up | Kigali - Winnie Ngamije |

### Special Awards

* Miss Congeniality - Winnie Uwanyuze (Eastern Province)
* Miss Photogenic - Grace Bahati (Southern Province)
* Miss Popular - Winnie Ngamije (Kigali)

## Preparation

The 13 contestants were selected from their respective provinces to compete in the national competition. Various activities were organized to prepare candidates for the final. The first training camp was held at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Rubavu and later, in Nyarutarama. The training was based on the culture, economy and history of Rwanda.

## Contestants

| Name | Age | Province represented |
| - | - | - |
| Michele Iradukunda | 20 | Western Province |
| Winnie Uwanyuze | 24 | Eastern Province |
| Carine Rusaro Utamuliza | 22 | Southern Province |
| Winnie Ngamije | 22 | Kigali |
| Ritah Uwera | 20 | Kigali |
| Vanessa Liliane Umuhoza | 18 | Southern Province |
| Géraldine Umutoni Karanganwa | 23 | Eastern Province |
| Peace Umugwaneza | 24 | Northern Province |
| Fiona Ruboneka | 24 | Kigali |
| Grace Bahati | 18 | Southern Province |
| Alice Kayumba Uwambaye | 19 | Kigali |
| Annuarite Uwera | 24 | Northern Province |
| Cynthia Rupari | 23 | Southern Province |

## Judges

The Miss Rwanda 2009 final judges were:

* Sonia Rolland Uwitonze - Actress and director. Miss Burgundy 1999 and Miss France 2000.
* Kat Cole - Businesswoman, Group President of Focus Brands and Chief Operations Officer of Cinnabon
* Kije Mugisha-Rwamasirabo - Director of Rwanda Television from 2008 to 2011.
* Christine Tuyisenge - Executive Secretary of the National Women Council (NWC)
* Manzi Kayihura - Director general of Rwandair Express.

## Crossovers

Contestants who previously competed or will be competing at international beauty pageants:

### Miss FESPAM

* 2007: Southern Province: Carine Utamuliza Rusaro (1st Runner-up)

### Miss Tourism Queen International

* 2008: Southern Province: Carine Utamuliza Rusaro (Top 10)

### Miss Naiades

* 2011: Southern Province: Carine Utamuliza Rusaro (Winner)

### Miss East Africa

* 2011: Kigali: Fiona Ruboneka
   * France's representative

### Miss Tourism of the Millennium

* 2012: Southern Province: Carine Utamuliza Rusaro
