Meet Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio, the 19-Year-Old Representing Kole at Miss Universe Uganda 2026

If you have been on African social media recently and seen a graceful young woman with a striking low natural haircut going viral in the context of a pageant, that is Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio—and she has not even won yet.

The 19-year-old from Kole District in Northern Uganda is one of the top 15 finalists in the inaugural Miss Universe Uganda 2026 competition, and the attention around her ahead of the Grand Finale has been building steadily across the continent.

So who exactly is Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio?

Before pageantry entered the picture, she was a valedictorian, finishing top of her class in secondary school with her sights firmly set on studying biomedical engineering. “Life has very many curveballs,” she says, “and you just have to embrace them.” What drew her to Miss Universe Uganda was not the glitz, but the advocacy platform. The moment she read that Miss Universe had a development and advocacy programme, she knew she had to be there.

Miss Universe Kole 2026 Kimberly Jael Aremo Acio models a black velvet dress accented with sheer red-beaded heart cut-outs and a red faux-fur wrap for the official Top 15 reveal on the Miss Universe Uganda 2026 runway. Photo Credit: Miss Universe Uganda/Instagram

Her advocacy centres on intentional mentorship for young people, particularly girls. “I believe every young person deserves guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to discover their purpose, regardless of their background or circumstances,” she has said.

That conviction comes from a deeply personal place. Between the ages of 10 and 13, Kimberly endured severe bullying that made her dread going…