From Stigma to Shine: Miss Y+ Nakayi Inspires Youth Living with HIV to Lead a Positive Life

From Stigma to Shine: Miss Y+ Nakayi Inspires Youth Living with HIV to Lead a Positive Life

Rubuna Nakayi was crowned Miss Queen Y+ during a beauty contest for young people living with HIV in 2021/22.

The contest doesn’t focus on looks, but on being a role model for other young people with HIV, on being able to advocate for the needs of young people, and to increase acceptance and understanding of young people living with HIV in society.

Nakayi from Soroti district beat the other 24 opponent to be crowned the Miss Queen Miss Y+ for 2021/22 in the beauty contest held on 26 November,2021 at Serena Hotel, Kampala.

On Thursday afternoon, Nakayi paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Chairperson LC-5 Soroti district, Simon Peter Edoru Ekuu who used special session of the council hall to recognize the QUEEN.

Edoru pledged to support the Miss Y+ Queen saying Nakayi after the beauty pageant should now use skills to sensitise young people, especially those who are living with HIV, to believe in themselves, that they can achieve so much more than what other people believe.”

“As the district, we shall always give you support my daughter,” Edoru added.

The Uganda Network of Young People living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA) took the initiative in 2014 after a girl was rejected from attending a beauty contest due to her HIV status. The Y+ Beauty Pageant aims to reduce stigma young people with HIV are facing on daily basis.

By Abraham Ekwaru
Communication Officer Soroti DLG

Saturday, December 18, 2021