Winners of Pakasa Youth Awards unveiled

PIC: Nakiwala (centre) with winners of the Pakasa Youth Awards 2017 at the Vision Group head office in Kampala on Friday. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

YOUTH | AWARDS

KAMPALA - Ten winners of the 2017 Pakasa Youth Awards were yesterday unveiled and awarded cash prizes, plaques and certificates for their contribution towards innovation, entrepreneurship and job-creation in the country.

 Pakasa Youth Forum Awards are organsied by Vision Group. The awards ceremony took place at the Vision Group headquarters in Kampala. The winners include Fatumah Namutosi (eastern region), Stephen Likolonga Inkufu (western region), Joseph Odur (Northern region) David Ntabazi (central region) and Esther Nakajjigo (women's category).

 There was also John Businge winning (most daring entrepreneur), Julius Nyanzi (most innovative entrepreneur), Joseph Kizito (best networking entrepreneur), Henry Nsereko (social entrepreneur), and Rashid Mutebi (portfolio entrepreneur).

 The winners were selected according to regions, gender and relevance of the business sector to the economy and development of the country.

Henry Nsereko, who emerged winner of the social entrepreneur category, had the biggest impact on the society around him.

Rashid Mutebi, the winner of portfolio entrepreneur category had different enterprises feeding off each other,

John Businge, the winner of the most daring entrepreneur category, ventured into virgin territory.

Julius Nyanzi, the most innovative entrepreneur, created something different or new from the usual.

The 10 lucky winners were picked by a team of four independent judges out of 43 young individuals who had been entered into the competition.

Each of the 10 winners received sh1m each, a plaque and certificate.

Another 10 young innovators, who made the top 20, received certificates in recognition of their contribution to innovation, entrepreneurship and job-creation in Uganda.

They include Robert Kasibante, Stephen Ssebuuma, Daniel Kiyega, Grace Ahimbisibwe and Joseph Ssebadduka. Others are Jeff Jjingo, Ricky Thomson Rapa, Morris Rwamuramba, Lawrence Mutebi Kato and Stephen Wasswa, plus Andrew Ainaman.

Youth get tips

While presenting the awards, the he Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Nakiwala Kiyingi, urged the young entrepreneur's to think of entrepreneurship in terms of commitment and discipline to ensure success.

She called upon young urban entrepreneurs not to eye the youth livelihood fund, but rather target the Youth Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Fund (YEVCF) introduced by the Government in 2012 to boost their businesses.

The managing editor for English newspapers at Vision Group, Ben Opolot, said the fact that Uganda has one of the youngest population in the world with 77% under the age of 30 and 70% of this group being unemployed, calls for action.

He said through Pakasa, Vision Group is encouraging young people to create employment opportunities for themselves by bringing their peers who have succeeded in business to share their stories.

"It is our vision to advance society and this is through supporting young people to become entrepreneurial to develop themselves, their society and country," Opolot said.