Dar es Salaam. In a heartfelt and candid statement shared via her Instagram, Miss Tanzania 2023, Tracy Nabukeera, officially announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Miss World 2025 competition, a decision that has sparked waves of support, speculation, and conversation across Tanzania’s pageantry and entertainment circles.
Tracy, who captivated audiences with her grace, intelligence, and passion during her Miss Tanzania reign, revealed that the choice to step down was not made lightly.
In her statement, she cited a lack of support, poor communication, and insufficient preparation from the organising body as key reasons for her decision.
"I no longer felt aligned or empowered enough to represent Tanzania on such a global stage,” she wrote. “When you carry a national title, you deserve to be fully supported and equipped to thrive.”
Behind the scenes, the story appears even more layered. According to the director of Look Company, which runs the Miss Tanzania beauty pageants, and former Miss Tanzania Basila Mwanukuzi, Tracy had communicated personal struggles in a letter last year.
The organisation, in turn, opted not to proceed with her preparations for Miss World—citing her letter as a reason.
However, no clear communication had been made to the public until Tracy broke her silence.
As it stands, Tanzania will not have a representative at Miss World 2025, a blow to pageant fans who were eager to see the East African nation shine on the international stage.
Still, Tracy’s journey is far from over. She reaffirmed her commitment to her community-driven initiative Step by Step, a project she described as “the heart of everything I do.”
Her focus now, she says, is on creating impact beyond the crown.
“This decision comes from a place of love—for myself, my supporters, and the values I stand for.”
The situation has once again spotlighted long-standing concerns about the state of pageant management in Tanzania, from the need for reliable sponsorship to the importance of empowering titleholders with more than just a crown.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Ms Nabukeera may not be walking the Miss World stage, but she’s certainly left her mark and perhaps ignited the kind of conversations that could reshape the future of beauty pageants in Tanzania.
