Organisers of the inaugural Nile Excellence Awards (NEA) say it will promote innovation, entrepreneurship and recognise over 20 competitive categories.
The NEA is Uganda’s emerging premier platform, which recognises excellence, creativity, leadership, and innovation across the country.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), Uganda faces a significant challenge of youth unemployment, with over 78% of young people aged between 18 and 30 years either unemployed or underemployed.
Samuel Mwesigwa, the chairman NEA, says their vision aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) IV, which emphasises creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development as vital pathways to reduce unemployment and foster wealth creation.
‘By identifying, celebrating, and promoting excellence in these areas, NEA directly supports Uganda’s broader agenda of inclusive growth, economic empowerment, and sustainable employment generation,’ Mwesigwa said on December 26.
He added: ‘The grand finale at Rock Classic Hotel, Tororo District on December 28 has drawn nominees, fans, and key entertainers across Uganda, and the awards will recognise excellence across over 20 competitive categories.’
Some of the categories include: Best TV Personality, Best Radio Personality, Outstanding Innovator of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others.
Mwesigwa says the inaugural edition featured a 14-day public online voting exercise, which attracted participants and supporters nationwide, while the nominees represented some of the most influential figures in Uganda’s media, creative, and cultural sectors.
‘The NEA will also honour individuals and institutions whose contributions are shaping communities, promoting cultural identity, and driving socio-economic development; however, we are not only awarding excellence and innovation, but inspiring creativity and entrepreneurial solutions among young people as a foundation for addressing national unemployment.’
Cinderellah Damba, the NEA President, said their engagement has given the inaugural edition strength, credibility, and confidence to grow into a nationally-recognised awards platform, positioning NEA as a key driver for promoting excellence and innovation across Uganda.
The NEA is organised in partnership with Miss Tourism Uganda (Eastern Region) and AMPA Media Company, while the ceremony has attracted the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the Office of the Prime Minister; Ministries of Tourism, Trade and Industry; Education and Sports; and representatives from Makerere University.