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A lot was said after she was announced, with most observers saying judges cheated for her and others claiming she is Rwandan.
"Personally, I know I'm a Ugandan. I've grown up in Uganda in Buganda," Tumukunde told newsmen when she was asked to clarify if she is a Ugandan.
"People are basing on my looks to say I'm Rwandan."
Hanna Karema Tumukunde was born in Kinoni village, Buremezi parish in Nakaseke district.
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Her parents were also born and raised in the same district. The mother is Rwandan while the father is a Munyankore.
Asked how she feels about people's comments, she said: "It's you who lets people's words get to you."
On what makes her special, Tumukunde said: "What makes me special is my background and where I come from. It's what pushed me to do this."
On claims that she didn't deserve the win, she responded: "Since I'm not a judge. I don't know. I don't know where people got that information from but they are free to say what they want. The judges did what they did and I also believe I did my best.”
She added: "When you have a dream, you work hard toward it."
Hannah Karema Tumukunde is in her Form Six ‘vacation’ and she took a subject combination of History, Literature and Divinity (HLD) at her 'A' level.
She is considering doing either Law or Journalism.
She said she called her parents over the phone after winning and they were happy.
She speaks Runyankore and Runyarwanda. She also speaks Luganda and English. But they mostly speak Luganda and Runyankore at home.