The 2017 Young Achievers Awards winners were unveiled on the International Youth Day at Kampala Serena Hotel, where Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde was awarded The Young Achievers Star Hall of Fame in the Special Category.
According to the organisers, Ms. Kyambadde was recognized for demonstrating exceptional commitment and sacrifice in supporting the Young Achievers Awards Programme.
Other recipients of this year’s special awards included Prof. Peter Mugyenyi for the Heroes Award, for demonstrating excellence and innovation amongst youth, and causing positive change.
Renowned Tanzanian entrepreneur philanthropist, public speaker and leadership coach Ali Mufuriki was named for the Lifetime Achievement Award for advocating for youth empowerment across the East African Region.
The award for Overall Young Achiever went to Zilla Mary Arach, Co-Founder of Lacel Technologies.
Speaking at the magnificent occasion, Progress Chisenga, Marketing Director – Vodafone Uganda said: “The very fabric of today’s generation is harnessed on data and the internet of things. It is almost impossible to mention youth without mentioning their critical contribution to a future that is defined by innovativeness.
“And there is no better platform than the one that JUMP and the Young Achievers Awards offers. JUMP by Vodafone is a social e-learning portal whose sole objective is to encourage young people to share relevant content and drive conversations that will inspire generations.”
The Young Achievers Awards is an award program that was started over five years ago to identify and recognize young people in Uganda who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in their respective fields.
“The awards overall objective showcases the best examples of young entrepreneurs and leaders who serve as examples for their peers, so that they may inspire an entire generation to do just as much or even more,” said Humphrey Nabimanya, the Team Leader and Founder of Reach A Hand Uganda.
Ever since its inception the Young Achievers Awards has established itself as arguably the most prestigious awards event of its kind in the region.
Past winners and recipients of the award include entrepreneur Nelson Tugume, Scientist and Researcher Godfrey Atuhaire, Musician Keko, Tennis champion Duncan Mugabe and President Yoweri Museveni, who received the Life Time Achievement Award.
This year’s edition of the awards which was announced on January 23, attracted over 300 applicants from various parts of the country that were vetted by two panels of distinguished judges.
The first phase involved category judges who assessed the top ten nominees in each category to choose the top five.
The second phase that involved the audit judges who chose the winners in each of the categories that attracted nominations.
Vodafone Marketing Director, Progress Chisenga (left) speaking at the prestigious 2017 Young Achievers Awards recently.
