The nominees for the 2017 Young Achievers Awards have been announced at the official awards nominees unveiling ceremony held Kampala Serena Hotel.
The ceremony attracted officials from the government, private sector, the nominees and the media.
“We are pleased to announce this year’s nominees who have been selected by distinguished Judges who brought their industry knowledge and category specific skill sets to assess the nominees and choose the finalists for the Young Achievers Awards.” Said Humphrey Nabimanya, the Team Leader & Founder of Reach A Hand Uganda.
The finalists were selected by two panels of judges. The first round which composed of category judges who assessed the top ten nominees in their respective categories and later the audit judges who selected a winner out of each of the categories that attracted nominations from the public.
“We congratulate all the nominees in the different categories. These young people are the next generation of leaders in their chosen fields of specialization and Vodafone is proud to be part of their story” said Progress Chisenga, Marketing Director Vodafone Uganda.
The Young Achievers Awards was founded in 2009 by two young entrepreneurs, AwelUwihanganye, and Ivan Kyambadde with the main objective of encouraging entrepreneurship and recognizing innovation and excellence.
In reference to the 2017 Awards, the founders recognized the transition to a new generation of champions by congratulating Humphrey Nabimanya the Lead champion (and a recipient of the 2011 Award), on his leadership and stewardship of the Award going forward.
“Our hope has always been that we keep young people as the face of the YAA, and for the Award to remain youth driven, and youth focused. We see this clearly in the work being invested in the project, and passion exhibited by the team of young people working on it. The team has our full support, we shall continue to contribute to the growth and success of the Award.”
The winners of each of the 7 categories that attracted nominations from the public, will be announced at the awards gala night ceremony on August 12th at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency YoweriKaguta Museveni, will be the guest of honor.
List of nominees of the 2017 Young Achievers Awards
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Business are;
Dr. Richard Kalungi, Home Doctors Uganda
Maxima Nsimenta, Founder of Livara Shea Butter Cosmetics
Kasozi Charles Ras, SEED Uganda
MuhammedSekatawa, Responsinle Suppliers (U) Ltd
Ricky Rapa Thompson, Co-Founder of SafeBoda
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Outstanding Sports Personality are;
Farouk Miya, Uganda Cranes Midfielder
Jacob Kiplimo, Athlete
Marvin Odong, Rugby Cranes
Christine Wanyana, Former Uganda Crested Cranes Captain
Cheza Fitness Uganda
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Media and Journalism Excellence are;
Samuel Songa Stone, STORYTELD
Ronald Wandera, Founder ugextra.com
Raymond Kataha, Journalist with NTV Uganda
AbaasMpindi, The Media Challenge Initiative
Martha Tukahirwa, The Uganda Tourism Directory
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Innovations & ICT are;
Gerald Otim, Chief Operation Officer & Co-Founder of Ensibuko
Michael Kazoora, Quick Tap Solutions
Zilla Mary Arach, Lacel Technologies
Kevin Lubega, EasyTicket Limited
Peace Kuteesa, Zimba Women
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Social Entrepreneurship presented by UniTED are;
MuhammedKisirisa aka Slum Ambassador, Executive Director of Action for Fundamental Change and Development
Eddy Balina, Community Empowerment Center
Jamila Mayanja, Annual Father Daughter Dance
Ian Joseph Wabwire, Youth Connect-Uganda
Ampumuza Dixon Kagurusi, Co-Founder of Africa Media Education Literacy Limited and TheUgandan.com
Frank Neil Yiga, Anuel Energy Uganda
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Farming and Agro-Processing;
Ronald Katamba, Jaguza App
Zilla Mary Arach, Lacel Technologies
James Kyewalabye, RASA Ltd
Dennis Kasule, St James Secondary School Bulaga
Fiona Rukwanzi, Mwigo holdings limited
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Music) Category are;
EdrisaMusuuza aka Eddy Kenzo
Milege Afrojazz Band
George William Kigozi aka Geosteady
The Triplets Ghetto Kids
SheebahKarungi
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Fashion) are;
Brian Ahumuza of Abryanz Collection
Anita Beryl of Beryl Quoture
Nominees for the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Film and Photography) are;
HarunaSsebagala, Access Films
Ssekitto Emmanuel kalule, Faces Up Uganda
Zahara Abdul
Ian Akankwasa aka Sasha Vybz