Miss Muyango Claudine has travelled to Dallas, Texas, to attend the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), where she is competing for the Best Influencer award.
Muyango left Kigali on the night of Sept. 7, accompanied by her eldest child, ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for Sept. 12 in Dallas.
She earned the nomination after being recognised for her work and presence on social media, an achievement she said came as a surprise because she had never viewed what she does online as something extraordinary.
“Honestly, it is exciting, but it also surprised me because I did not expect it,” Muyango told media after her nomination was announced.
“What it has shown me is that you should focus on what you do and put a lot of effort into it, then leave the rest to God,” she said.
Muyango said she has always considered her approach to social media fairly ordinary and never imagined it would lead to an international award nomination.
“I cannot say that I have a special way of doing things that would make me think someone would give me an award. What I know is that you have to work hard and do your best. The rest comes as God wills,” she said.
She faces competition from some of Africa’s best-known social media personalities in the Best Influencer category, including Khaby Lame, Nasty Black, Lasizwe Dambuza, Crazy Kennar, Carter Efe, Ilyas El Maliki, Sabinus and Peller.
Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-born social media star, is among the biggest names in the category, particularly on TikTok. Kenya’s Crazy Kennar and other nominees have also built large followings through social media content.
Muyango first gained wider public attention after competing in Miss Rwanda 2019, where she won the Miss Photogenic title. She has since built a large following on social media and has also worked as an event host and in entertainment media.
Her AFRIMMA nomination adds an international dimension to a career that has increasingly centred on digital platforms.
Muyango is not the only Rwandan nominee at this year’s awards. Singer Ariel Wayz is also competing for the Best Female East Africa award.
The 2026 AFRIMMA awards will be held in Dallas on Sept. 12.
