Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio, 19, from Kole district in northern Uganda, is among the young women competing to represent Uganda at Miss Universe.
She says her goal is not only about winning a crown but using the platform to speak for young people and promote mentorship.
She is competing in Miss Universe Uganda.
Before entering pageantry, Kimberly focused on academics. She completed high school as a top-performing student and planned to study biomedical engineering.
She says her decision to join pageantry came after realising the platform could be used for advocacy.
Speaking during an interview on Sanyu FM programme The Lounge, she said life changed her direction.
“Life has many curveballs and you just have to embrace them,” she said.
She has put university plans on hold but says she intends to continue her studies later.
Kimberly also shared that she experienced severe bullying between the ages of 10 and 13. She said she often feared going to school and did not tell her parents at the time because she believed it would make things worse.
She now says that experience shaped her resilience.
“If it was not for the bullying, I would not be here today,” she said.
She added that young people still have the power to choose who they become despite difficult experiences.
Kimberly’s main advocacy focus is youth mentorship. She describes mentorship as guidance that helps young people unlock their potential.
“Every young person carries fire within them. Mentorship is simply someone lighting that match,” she said.
She admires Ugandan lawyer and activist Miria Matembe for her bold public speaking and influence.
Away from the pageant, Kimberly describes herself as introverted and creative. She is currently a content creator and says she started earlier this year to encourage young people to pursue their goals despite challenges.
She also speaks openly about her everyday habits, including her love for Pepsi, which she jokingly says she drinks more than water.
She says she prefers sneakers to heels and enjoys watching films, including The Devil Wears Prada.
She is also known for her playful humour, including recalling a childhood incident where a goat dragged her while she tried to help a herdsman, an experience she says made her afraid of goats for years.
Kimberly says she carries pride in representing the Lango sub-region and northern Uganda. She says her journey is personal and focused on self-growth rather than comparison.
“At the end of the race, it is just me and the person I want to become,” she said.
The Miss Universe Uganda competition is being held in Uganda for the first time, adding significance to her participation.
Cast your daily free vote at http://africavotes.com/n/kimberly.jael.aremo.acio
