Wellness With Her Club

Rianne Lelia Bateeze is a Ugandan Movement Artist/ dancer, 3x Founder, Film Director, Creative Director, Wellness coach and certified journalist whose mantra stands as, “I’ll do the best I can with my time on earth.” She is Miss Uganda East 2023- 2024 as well as Miss Talent for the same year. We link up with her for 7 Minutes of Heaven in our 7 Questions with Her Segment.

1. Reflecting on your journey as Miss Uganda East 2023-2024, what have been some of the most impactful moments for you personally and professionally?

My journey as Miss Uganda East has been incredibly enriching. I’m greatly thankful to my parents, sisters- Thea, Marlene, Treis and Mariella- my friends who I can’t all mention here, mentors and everyone that came together to make this season one of deep learning, growth and deep knowledge.

Personally, this isn’t something I actually anticipated and my sister, Marlene pushed me towards it. We were raised to be very confident ladies, however, there still was a lot of imposter syndrome about suddenly becoming a “queen”, but as the reign went on, I learnt to accept that this was indeed something that would always be a part of my life and my only work was to embrace it and ensure the tenure continues and ends with a ‘bang.’

I actually recall trying to rewire my subconscious mind to grow shorter when I was in campus(and it worked by the way… I dropped a whole inch) however when I got back home and into the pageant, I realized I should have tried to get taller (haha). In all this, I’d say that girls and ladies should not under appreciate who they are. You are perfect the way God made you. We can’t afford to undermine the way we were made. In this grand plan, there’s a reason for everything.

When it comes to our project, Wellness with Her, one of the most impactful moments was starting our various movement classes around Uganda, both in the capital city as well as visiting our grass-root communities and learning firsthand the challenges women face in accessing basic wellness resources. Professionally, collaborating with local and international wellness organizations to bring meaningful change to these communities has been a significant highlight. These experiences have really shaped my understanding of wellness and deepened my commitment to my cause. I also extend my gratitude to the Miss Uganda Foundation for the opportunity to work and grow this cause.

2. “Wellness With Her Club” has been a significant part of your reign. Can you share some of the successes and challenges you’ve faced while promoting this project?
Wellness With Her Club, as a growing community is achieving considerable success in raising awareness about women’s wellness issues, from the play of movement as a core part of physical health, mental health to reproductive health. We’ve conducted a couple of wellness workshops, and worked with some organizations to connect with hundreds of women in Uganda. A girl can want to do so much and I believe with time we shall be able to address logistics and actual health resources that will ensure that we continue to reach our grass root areas so that all places in Uganda can access Wellness With Her. Despite these challenges, the positive feedback and visible improvements in the well-being of women in the communities we have worked in have been incredibly rewarding.

3. As a movement artist and certified journalist, how have these skills influenced your approach to advocating for wellness and leading a forward generation?
As a movement artist, it’s allowed me to use creative expression as a tool to engage and inspire women about wellness. We currently have our “Wato Movement Classes” happening on Saturdays at Karuna Wellness Studio in Naguru, Kampala, Uganda. Movement therapy sessions have been a great way to address mental and physical health. As a journalist, my skills in research and communication have been invaluable in creating informative content and learning how to advocate for relevant policy changes. We really need them. It’s a baby steps kind of thing but I believe it all surmounts to steady growth. Together, these skills have enabled me to connect with a broader audience and convey the importance of wellness in a compelling manner.

4. What legacy do you hope to leave behind as you hand over the title of Miss Uganda East, and what do you envision for the future of the “Wellness With Her” project?
I hope to leave and have left behind a legacy of empowerment and awareness as Miss Uganda Eastern. Not just for wellness but for all the projects I’ve been blessed to collaborate and work on. Beauty pageants are actually not as bad as some Ugandans used to paint them out to be. It’s all perspective and I for sure feel more beautiful- inside and out than I did before. There’s a degree of acceptance one comes to terms with in pageantry that I hadn’t considered before.

My prayer is that, through the work we do, the women and communities we work with feel more informed and capable of taking charge of their wellbeing. For the “Wellness With Her” project, I envision it growing into a sustainable program with ongoing workshops, support networks, and collaborations with healthcare providers. My dream is for it to become a cornerstone of wellness education and advocacy in Uganda.

5. Throughout your tenure, you’ve interacted with many young women and communities. How have these interactions shaped your understanding of wellness and the needs of your community?
It’s a blessing to meet people in different life paths and such interactions have been eye-opening. They have highlighted the different beautiful things, needs and challenges women especially in Eastern Uganda face, from lack of access to healthcare to cultural stigmas around mental health. Seemingly small things that greatly affect and impact wellness in our country. Understanding these nuances has reinforced my purpose and reassures the need for a holistic and inclusive approach to wellness. I know I can’t do it alone so I call upon any communities, individuals and stakeholders to collaborate in any way possible. It’s not just about physical health but also mental, emotional, and social well-being.

6. What advice would you give to your successor to continue and build upon the work you’ve started with “Wellness With Her”?
My advice to Captain Sue, would be to stay passionate, persistent and enjoy the ride, or should I say, flight? Haha. She has her project(s) and I believe we can work together to continue making impact in our region. To all the queens really, building “Wellness With Her” required and still requires a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the unique journey faced by women in our communities. I believe she can lean into the same. Embrace creativity in your approach and leverage your skills to make your cause engaging and accessible. Most importantly, listen to the women you’re serving; their insights and experiences are invaluable.

7. Looking ahead, what are your personal and professional goals after your time as Miss Uganda East, and how do you plan to continue your advocacy for wellness?
After my tenure, I plan to continue my advocacy through both my journalism and movement art. Professionally, I aim to keep focused on wellness and health education, and to collaborate with wellness organizations to expand our outreach as Wellness With Her club. Personally, I am considering further studies to enhance my knowledge and effectiveness as an advocate. Wellness will always be a central part of my life and work, and I am dedicated to continuing this journey with renewed vigor.

Connect with her online here.

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Live well! You deserve it.