KAMPALA – The inaugural Miss Universe Uganda has found herself at the centre of a growing social media storm after online users questioned whether she meets the competition’s nationality requirements.
The controversy surrounds Mitchelle Daka, who was recently crowned Miss Universe Uganda. While many have celebrated her victory, others have pointed to online records suggesting she previously represented Kenya in a major international modelling competition.
According to archived reports, Michelle Daka won the Elite Model Look Kenya 2011 competition at just 15 years old. The contest, held at Nairobi’s InterContinental Hotel, selected her to represent Kenya at the Elite Model Look World Finals.
Fueling the debate further are screenshots circulating online, including an old X (formerly Twitter) account under the name @MitchelleDaka, where the profile bio reads, “#iamkenyan :)” in a post dating back to July 30, 2012.
The issue gained more attention after activist account Africa Yetu shared a post claiming that contestant number 24, Mitchelle Daka, is Kenyan and urging Miss Universe Uganda organisers to investigate the matter.
The post referenced the pageant’s published eligibility rules, which state that contestants “must be Ugandan (by birth or nationality).” Critics argue that if the online claims are accurate, organisers should clarify whether Daka qualifies through Ugandan nationality despite her apparent Kenyan background.
However, the matter is not straightforward.
Recent posts associated with Miss Universe Uganda identify Mitchelle Daka as representing Budaka District in eastern Uganda and celebrate her as the country’s inaugural Miss Universe Uganda winner.
This has sparked mixed reactions online. Some believe her earlier participation in Kenya’s modelling industry proves she is Kenyan, while others note that modelling competitions and national beauty pageants operate under different eligibility rules. It is also possible for someone born or raised in one country to later acquire citizenship or nationality in another, depending on the applicable laws.
As of now, Miss Universe Uganda organisers have not publicly addressed the allegations or clarified Daka’s nationality status.
Until an official statement is issued, the debate remains largely driven by social media speculation rather than verified findings.
Whether the controversy fades or grows will likely depend on how quickly organisers respond and whether they provide documentation confirming that the reigning queen satisfies the competition’s eligibility requirements.
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