Hannah Karema emerges first runner-up, Miss World Africa

The reigning Miss Uganda Hannah Karema run at the Miss World beauty pageant came to an end on Saturday, March 9, at the finale at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India, where she emerged as the first runner-up for Miss World Africa and made it to the Top Eight in the Miss World contest. 

Czech Republic’s Krystyna Pyszkova was crowned Miss World, with Lebanon’s Yasmina Zaytoun emerging as the first runner-up out of the 112 contestants from around the globe. The Miss World Africa crown went to Botswana’s Lesego Chombo. 

"Honoured to represent my country on a global stage, I humbly extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to @missworld for such a memorable experience, Thank you for recognising my work and giving me such a big platform to express myself. I promise to keep going and achieving even more. Uganda is proud. Beauty with a purpose  winner. First runners miss world Africa. Top 8 @missworld,” she wrote online. 

Hannah Karema, 21, was crowned Miss Uganda in 2023, beating off competition from 20 other ladies. 

She came close to replicating former Miss World Africa, Quiin Abenakyo’s feat putting up competition, but she emerged as the first runner-up. Abenakyo was crowned Miss Uganda in 2018, beating over 20 other girls to the crown and also acing the Miss World Africa contest for the crown the same year.