Ent. & Lifestyle
Art meets journalism at Uganda Press Photo Awards
Alex Nyende emerged the overall winner in the UPPA category with his documentary project, 'Where Do They Go?', which captured families displaced during the May 28, 2026, eviction in Kawaala, Kampala, as government moved to restore part of Lubigi wetland.
The ceremony, held at MoTIV Uganda in Industrial Area, Kampala, last Friday, brought together photojournalists, artists, partners and other stakeholders to celebrate photography as both an art and an important tool for documenting society.
By: Martin Ndijjo, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Photography’s power to document society, hold those in authority accountable, and tell compelling human stories took centre stage at the 2026 Uganda Press Photo Awards (UPPA), where outstanding photographers were recognised for their contribution to visual storytelling.
The ceremony, held at MoTIV Uganda in Industrial Area, Kampala, last Friday, brought together photojournalists, artists, partners and other stakeholders to celebrate photography as both an art and an important tool for documenting society.
The accompanying exhibition featured striking pictures capturing people, events and issues shaping Uganda and the wider East African region, offering perspectives on community experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Winners
Alex Nyende emerged the overall winner in the UPPA category with his documentary project, 'Where Do They Go?', which captured families displaced during the May 28, 2026, eviction in Kawaala, Kampala, as government moved to restore part of Lubigi wetland.
Hassan Omar Wamwayi was named first runner-up, while Richard Sanya of Vision Group emerged third. Sanya’s entry documented the campaign trail of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, offering a visual account of the events and activities that characterised the campaign period
In the Young Photographer Award (YPA) category, Irene Jemillah Ahebwa was recognised as the outstanding emerging photographer.
The East African Photography Award (EAPA) celebrated visual storytelling across the region, and in this category, Mohamed Abuagla won the Single Images (Human) category, Anthony Ochieng Onyango took the Single Images (Planet) award, while Wadah Omer won the Stories category.
Winners received prizes, including Fujifilm camera equipment, to recognise their achievements and support their continued growth in photography.
Beyond rewarding excellence, the awards provided a platform for photographers to present work that informs public understanding, documents significant events and draws attention to stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Helmut Elischer, the country director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Uganda, said photography contributes to democracy by promoting accountability, social justice and public understanding.
He noted that photojournalists help communities understand one another while bringing untold experiences to public attention. He described the awards as a celebration of photographers’ courage, creativity and commitment to documenting the truth.
In the Young Photographer Award (YPA) category, Irene Jemillah Ahebwa was recognised as the outstanding emerging photographer.
The East African Photography Award (EAPA) celebrated visual storytelling across the region, and in this category, Mohamed Abuagla won the Single Images (Human) category, Anthony Ochieng Onyango took the Single Images (Planet) award, while Wadah Omer won the Stories category.
Winners received prizes, including Fujifilm camera equipment, to recognise their achievements and support their continued growth in photography.
Beyond rewarding excellence, the awards provided a platform for photographers to present work that informs public understanding, documents significant events and draws attention to stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Helmut Elischer, the country director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Uganda, said photography contributes to democracy by promoting accountability, social justice and public understanding.
He noted that photojournalists help communities understand one another while bringing untold experiences to public attention. He described the awards as a celebration of photographers’ courage, creativity and commitment to documenting the truth.
Barbara Minishi, the Fujifilm representative, noted that impactful photography depends not only on equipment, but also on the photographer’s ability to communicate a meaningful story.
Minishi, herself a photographer and filmmaker, said Fujifilm sought to equip photographers with tools to strengthen their work and expand its reach.
The European Union (EU), which has supported UPPA since 2016, reaffirmed its commitment to professional media development and independent, responsible journalism.
Emmanuel-Davies Gyezaho, a press and information officer for the EU delegation to Uganda, said the partnership reflected the importance of professional journalism in building an informed society.
He commended the participating photographers for the thought, patience and commitment required to document other people’s experiences.
Stella Nantongo, the director Foundation for the East African Photography, an organisation associated with UPPA, highlighted the growing role of regional photographers in telling their own stories.
From Kampala to Khartoum, Bujumbura and Addis Ababa, Nantongo said photographers were increasingly documenting their communities and shaping how their experiences were represented.
The 2026 awards highlighted photography’s ability to combine artistic expression with journalism, creating a lasting record of the people, events and issues shaping society.
Minishi, herself a photographer and filmmaker, said Fujifilm sought to equip photographers with tools to strengthen their work and expand its reach.
The European Union (EU), which has supported UPPA since 2016, reaffirmed its commitment to professional media development and independent, responsible journalism.
Emmanuel-Davies Gyezaho, a press and information officer for the EU delegation to Uganda, said the partnership reflected the importance of professional journalism in building an informed society.
He commended the participating photographers for the thought, patience and commitment required to document other people’s experiences.
Stella Nantongo, the director Foundation for the East African Photography, an organisation associated with UPPA, highlighted the growing role of regional photographers in telling their own stories.
From Kampala to Khartoum, Bujumbura and Addis Ababa, Nantongo said photographers were increasingly documenting their communities and shaping how their experiences were represented.
The 2026 awards highlighted photography’s ability to combine artistic expression with journalism, creating a lasting record of the people, events and issues shaping society.