The book launch ceremony took place on the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Center. The event was attended by the Minister of Public Service and Labour, Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka, various celebrities, members of Naomie’s family, early buyers of the book, and guests from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other countries who were eager to engage with her story.
Spanning 184 pages, More Than A Crown offers an honest and unfiltered account of Naomie’s life—from a young girl in Kigali stepping onto a public stage for the first time, to witnessing her family struggle with severe depression, and eventually becoming a woman learning to balance public admiration with personal healing and self-discovery.
Miss Naomie, who was appointed UNICEF Rwanda’s Champion for Children in October 2023, has often shared openly on social media about her experiences with anxiety and cyberbullying—challenges she has since transformed into sources of courage and advocacy.
She explained that the book is meant to be a pathway of hope for anyone seeking self-worth and identity beyond titles, crowns, and temporary recognition imposed by society.
Addressing guests at the launch, Miss Nishimwe Naomie emphasized that writing the book was “not an easy journey.” She described the launch night as “extraordinary,” noting that the book is not only her story but also “the story of many others—especially girls and people who feel unable to raise their voices.”
She also expressed gratitude to God for walking with her throughout the journey and encouraged anyone feeling overwhelmed by societal pressure to remember that they are not alone.
Naomie revealed that Chapter Nine was the most difficult part of the book to write, as it focuses heavily on healing. “By the time I started writing, I had healed,” she said. “But we still need safe spaces in society where people can speak freely without being judged. If you feel ready to speak, it should never be a problem.”
Following the launch in Rwanda, she announced plans to continue book tours in Uganda, Kenya, the United States, several European countries, and beyond.
For Naomie, writing the book was a meaningful experience, likening it to “going back through your own life.” She added that much of the inspiration came from messages she received on X (formerly Twitter), where people questioned what had happened to her—prompting her to reflect deeply and even discuss those moments with her husband.
She recalled shedding many tears during the process but emerging stronger. Addressing the audience, she said, “Do not allow anyone to define who you are. Do not let anyone speak over your life.”
Naomie emphasized the importance of reaching a point where one no longer lives according to public opinion. “It gave me time for self-awareness and reflection, but also helped me build confidence,” she said.
She described the book as easy to read but emotionally layered. “Don’t just look at the cover and say, ‘This is Naomie.’ No—read the entire book to the end,” she urged.
In writing More Than A Crown, Nishimwe Naomie collaborated with Imagine We Publishers.
Dominique Uwase Alonga, the founder of Imagine We Publishers, said working with Naomie was both a rewarding and unique journey. She praised Naomie’s resilience and determination, describing her as one of the most persistent people she has encountered.
She also commended the entire editorial team for their dedication, noting that Naomie invested all her energy to ensure the book’s success. “Today, Miss Naomie is officially an author,” she said.
Alonga explained that Imagine We Publishers was founded with the goal of giving everyone a platform to tell their story, particularly in Africa. “We want to create space for people who are ready to speak and share their truth,” she said.
She revealed that it took about a year to complete the book, describing the process as joyful despite its intensity. She encouraged everyone to read it.
Confirming that Chapter Nine was the most challenging, Alonga explained that decisions were carefully made about what could be shared publicly. She added that she read the book seven times to ensure accuracy and quality.
Michael Tesfay, Naomie’s husband, shared that she first told him about her desire to write a book while they were preparing for their wedding. Initially, he thought it was a project to strengthen their home, only to later realize it was truly about writing a book.
He described Naomie as an extraordinary woman who accomplished something remarkable. He recalled that shortly after their wedding, they faced difficult moments, and reading Naomie’s personal reflections helped him understand her more deeply. “That’s when I realized I had truly married the right woman,” he said.
Miss Mutesi Jolly, who attended the book launch, said she strongly related to Naomie’s story, as many of the experiences mirrored her own. She remarked, “We live in a society that silences you even before you are born.”
She expressed pride in Nishimwe Naomie for writing the book, noting that beauty pageants come with both visible and invisible struggles, and praised women who manage to rise above those challenges.
Naomie Nishimwe, Miss Rwanda 2020, wrote a book about her personal life
Michael Tesfay, the husband of Naomie Nishimwe, said that More Than A Crown serves as a mirror that can help young people accept themselves, heal from emotional wounds, and build self-confidence
INTERVIEW WITH MISS NAOMIE
PHOTOS: Serge Ngabo/ Rene Patrick: InyaRwanda.com
VIDEO: Dox Visual/ InyaRwanda.com