By Paul W Dennis
Out of over 400 applications received this year, only 45 have emerged as nominees for the 9th edition of The Young Achievers Awards (YAA) to be held on 18th August 2018 at Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala.
The awards seek to recognise and celebrate outstanding youth in the Ugandan Community that have excelled in various realms such as the Arts, Entrepreneurship, Media and Journalism, Philanthropy, Innovation, Sports among others.
Mr Humphrey Nabimanya, the Founder – Reach A Hand, Uganda (RAHU) who also doubles as the Team Leader for YAA said the 45 nominees selected are changing the lives of Ugandan youth despite facing challenges like lack of access to employment opportunities.
“I ask that the 45 nominees selected this year, whatever job or idea you’re working on, they too can employ at 5 to 10 people,” he said, according to PC Tech Magazine.
“[The] judging process was intensive and I am glad that this year’s set of judges, who used their set skills, and experience, toiled until the very best of each catergory was chosen to move onto the next stage as we head closer to the award night this August,” Mr Nabimanya said.
“We celebrate young people everyday because we have human capital and this has made us successful as a young generation. The youth make up the biggest percentage of the population in Uganda and these need guidance and support. And at RAHU, we put our peers at the front-line so that they can realize their full potential,” he added.
Nominated acts include renown Christian personality Canary Mugume, who previously worked with Channel44, before turning out to be an influential reporter and news anchor on NBS Television.
Full Nominees:
Outstanding Sports Personality:
- David Emong (Uganda’s first Paralympics medalist), Rugby Cranes (7’s), Douglas Smith (Founder, Ibanda Young Stars Soccer Academy), Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei (Athlete) and Ivan Magomu (Rugby player)
Performing Arts:
- Eddy Kenzo, Ivan Mulumba, H2C Dance Group, Felix Byaruhanga, Rehema Namakula
Fashion:
- Charles Mulumba (Creative Director, Brand MulC Ug), Anita Beryl (Founder, Beryl Qouture), Christabel Kente (Founder, Kente Christabel Haute Couture), Juliana Nasasira (Founder, Kwesh), Kennedy Zziwa (Founder, Hair by Zziwa)
Innovation and ICT:
- Phyllis Kyomuhendo (Co-Founder, mSCAN), Andrew Mugerwa (Founder, MyLib App), Jacqueline Mutumba (CEO & Co Founder, Digi Health Limited), Julius Naika (CEO & Founder, Naika Group & Famunera.com), Brian Gitta (CEO and Co-Founder of Matibabu)
Social Entrepreneurship:
- Richard Kalungi (Founder, Home Doctors Uganda), Andrew Musoke (Founder, Initiator and CEO of Gifted Hands Network), Monica Nyiraguhabwa (Executive Director, Girl up Initiative Uganda), Moses Nkesiga (Director, BrisMos Legal Advocacy), Stephen Katende (Team Leader, Kisoboka Africa)
Farming & Agro Processing:
- Fiona Rukwanzi (Founder, Nyunya), Bazil Mwotta (Founder, Agro Duuka), Jean Onyait (Founder & CEO, Akellobanker), Edward Mukiibi (Founder, Developing Innovations in School Cultivation), Khamutima Tumwebaze (Founder & Executive Director, Young Farmers’ Champions Network)
Business:
- Ronald Hakiza (Founder, UgaBus), Samson Wambuzi (Co-Founder, Yiya Engineering Solutions), Campus Bee, Muhammed Sekatawa (Responsible Suppliers Uganda Limited), Natalie Bitature (Co-Founder, Musana)
Media and Journalism:
- Allan Darren Kyeyune (Sports journalist), Peter Malinz Kasadha (Founder, Digest Africa), Canary Mugume (Journalist, Next Media services), Abaas Mpindi (The Media Challenge Initiative challenge), Raymond Mujuni (Journalist, Next Media services)
Film and Photography:
- Edgar Kwesiga (Creative Director, Spire brand and Creative Agency), Richard Mulindwa (Movie Producer, Writer and Director), Oscar Ntege (Photographer), Beard Beohrts (A creative photography and cinematography company), Stuart Tibaweswa (Photographer)
