On August 12th, 2017, we made history scratch that! After almost five (5) years of people asking what happened to the Young Achievers Awards? We had to make the return of the awards more remarkable, remarkable and inspiring making it go down the line of being one of the most if not the most successful awards event in Uganda.
The awards being hosted on the International Youth Day- moving forward, gave us a very big opportunity to create a national conversation surrounding the empowerment of young people in Uganda. We achieved this!
We brought together young people, dignitaries and strategic guests who came ready to be inspired by the stories of young people who were the focus of the night at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The night kicked off with a two hour red carpet networking experience that saw all guests connect with each other before being ushered into the Victoria Auditorium where the most parts of the night were to be spent. Our very own cultural icon Allan Toniks put up a very energetic performance together with renown cultural group Rockies Troupe Uganda.
Then the celebration of the young achievers kicked off! From agro-processors, innovators, outstanding sports personalities, business men and women, journalists and the creatives in music, film, photography and fashion, the list goes on.
President Yoweri Museveni delivered his first ever video keynote address which focused on encouraging young people to live healthier lives if they are to make future positive contributions to the development of Uganda.
“I would like to say that the the youths are the main engine for our growth, because you are the human resource that will drive industry and support services. I therefore urge all of you to lead responsible lives, be mindful of focusing on things and activities that add value to your lives, and the country. Youths must be aware of the agenda of their generation.” The president Museveni said in his message.
From anti-clockwise, the 2017 Young Achievers Awards winners; Milege (Winners of the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Music) Category, Gerald Otim Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Ensibuko (winner of the Young Achievers Award for Innovations & ICT), Jacob Kiplimo (Outstanding Sports Personality), Zilla Mary Arach (Overall Young Achiever of the Year & winner of the Farming & Agro-Processing Award), Brian Ahumuza of Abryanz (Winner of the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Fashion), Ronald Wandera (Winner of the Young Achievers Award of Media and Journalism Excellence), Ricky Rapa Thompson ( Winner for the Young Achievers Award for Business), Muhammed Kisirisa aka Slum Ambassador, Executive Director of AFFCAD (Winner s for the Young Achievers Award for Social Entrepreneurship) and Ian Akankwasa aka Sasha Vybz (Winners for the Young Achievers Award for Creative Arts (Film and Photography.
Notable winners of the night were Ricky Rapa Thompson, the Co-Founder of SafeBoda a former security guard who is now leading one of the most successful businesses in Kampala that is merging safety and boda bodas. Ricky received the Young Achievers Award for Business.
Another inspiring story was Muhammed Kisirisa the Executive Director of Action for Fundamental Change and Development. Commonly known as Slum Ambassador, Mohammed grew up in the slums of Bwaise and is now improving the prospects, conditions and lives of young people living in t Bwaise and other slum communities around Kampala through his youth empowerment, education and health programs. Muhammed received the Young Achievers Award for Social Entrepreneurship.
The winner of the night was Zilla Mary Arach, the Co-Founder of Lacel Technologies who bagged the Overall Young Achiever Award and the Young Achievers Award for Farming and Agro-Processing. Zilla Mary Arach through Akorion an Agtech company she co-founded is leveraging ICT to provide services to farmers. Zilla has developed proprietary Software that Akorion’s village agents
use to order for agricultural inputs for farmers.
That night, we made history. More than 1330 people attended the event, over 40 media houses covering the night’s event , we brought a new conversation on International Youth Day, not the normal outreach and dialogues one you knew.
The Recipients of the 2017 Special Awards were Prof. Peter Mugyenyiwho bagged the 2017 Hero Award. Prof. Peter Mugyenyi is a medical doctor, researcher and promoter of accessible and equitable medical care.Ali Mufuruki received the Lifetime Achievement Award for championing of youth empowerment across the East African region and Hon. Amelia Kyambadde received the Star Hall of Fame Award for being instrumental in shaping the future of the Young Achievers Award.
And that was not all. Young AchieversSummits will be organized to answer the big question; What next after The Young Achievers Awards?. These will arranged to benefit both the nominees and winners of the awards who will get the opportunities to meet respected entrepreneurs, extraordinary achievers, celebrated leaders and organizations that have been instrumental in empowering young people to kick start their ideas. These summits include Legal Summit, Agro-Business Summit & Funders Summit.
Tagged as
achievers awards enterprenuership Kampala Serena Hotel yaa young