Trivia Muhoza ‘s caesarean dress catches attention of WHO boss

Miss Uganda Trivia Elle Muhoza’s caesarean-inspired gown has caught the attention of World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding to a wave of international publicity around the Ugandan contestant days before the Miss World 2026 final.

Muhoza wore the gown, titled Layers of Life, during the World Designer Award at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam.

Ugandan designer Keesha Abdallah created the dress around the seven anatomical layers associated with a caesarean section, turning childbirth into a fashion statement and tribute to mothers. 

The gown has since travelled far beyond the Miss World stage.

On September 3, Tedros praised Muhoza and the dress in a social media post, saying caesarean sections can save mothers and babies when medically necessary but remain complex medical procedures.

He said Muhoza's Layers of Life gown tells that story while raising awareness about caesarean childbirth and celebrating women who have experienced it.

“Miss World #Uganda Muhoza Trivia Elle’s “Layers of Life” gown tells that story in a unique and powerful way: raising awareness of the realities of caesarean section childbirth while celebrating the strength of mothers who have experienced it,” he noted

The recognition from the WHO chief comes as international media outlets pick up the story.

India Today described the gown as a couture tribute to mothers, while the Times of India highlighted its representation of the seven anatomical layers involved in a caesarean section. 

The Hindustan Times also covered the dress as a fashion statement with a deeper story about childbirth.

Dubai-based Khaleej Times reported on the gown on September 3, while Spain's Huffington Post said Muhoza's dress had attracted global attention. Moneycontrol and Fashion Times have also featured the design. 

Abdallah's inspiration came from her own experience as a new mother.

The designer said she began with the idea of turning childbirth into couture. While researching, she became drawn to medical images showing the layers involved in a caesarean section.

She then translated those layers into the gown through colour, fabric and structure. The dress moves through representations of the skin, fat, fascia, muscles, peritoneum, uterus and amniotic sac. 

The gown uses stretch satin and layered tulle, with colours shifting through shades that mirror the anatomical illustration that inspired the design.

The concept also carries an interesting Ugandan connection.

Historical accounts document British medical missionary Robert Felkin witnessing a successful caesarean operation in Bunyoro in 1879. 

Both the mother and baby survived. His account later became an important record of surgical knowledge that existed in the region at the time. 

For Muhoza, the international attention comes at a crucial stage of the competition.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur from Bukomansimbi was crowned Miss Uganda in September 2025 and is representing the country at the Miss World festival. Her Beauty With a Purpose work has included menstrual health outreach and support for vulnerable women and girls. 

She has also reached the Top 6 of the Miss World Multimedia challenge, according to her official Miss World profile. 

The attention around the world could strengthen her visibility as the competition approaches its conclusion. 

A contestant who attracts attention for fashion, purpose and national identity can build a stronger international profile around her campaign.

Uganda already has recent momentum at Miss World. Quiin Abenakyo reached the Top 5 and became Miss World Africa in 2018, while Hannah Tumukunde reached the Top 8 in 2024. Natasha Nyonyozi later reached the Top 40 and secured Africa's Beauty With a Purpose award.