Tumaini recognises child rights advocates

By Vision Reporter

It was a fanfare event at the Imperial Royale Hotel on Friday evening as the 2014 Tumaini Awards winner were recognised for their efforts towards improving the lives of children. The function where the Minister for the Presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, represented the First Lady as Chief Guest saw sh50m given out in prizes.

Tumaini is an annual initiative of seven child-rights advocacy non-governmental organisations that include Save the Children, UNICEF, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN), World Vision, Child Fund, Compassion International and ANPPCAN. At 6.30pm, the event kicked off with welcome remarks from Stella Ayo Odongo, the Tumaini chairperson who is also the Executive Director UCRNN. “I know some of your minds are in Brazil,” she joked. “But do not worry, we have asked the hotel to record the match and we shall screen it for you,” she added sending the audience into hearty laughter. Ayo commended the event sponsors and urged more corporates to come on board. A total of 25 fi nalists in 13 categories were recognized.

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First placed winner print media, Caroline Ariba (L) of New Vision fl anked by John Eremu, the Features Editor (C) receives her prize from Nicholas Kalibala of Compassion Uganda

The categories included individuals, NGO’s and corporates. Standard Chartered Bank scooped the fi rst place in the corporate category followed by Rainbow International School and Stanbic Bank. The fi rst placed winners in the individual category got cash prizes of sh3m while those in second place received sh1.5m. Development Links, a consultancy fi rm has offered free training to the staff of the winners in the NGO/CBO category

Dickson Ampumuza, Vision Group’s media in education advocacy manager, said the company was proud to be associated with the Tumaini Initiative. As Vision Group  we have the Newspapers in Education (NiE) through which we partner with individuals and other agencies to make learning and interesting process by supplying newspapers to the classrooms,” Ampumuza said.

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Allan Onzima (left), the Public Relations Offi cer, Rainbow International School Uganda receives the second place Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Category from Dixon Ampumuza of Vision Group

Tumwebaze said the First Lady had wanted to personally preside over the ceremony but could not do so due to some urgent engagements in Arua. He thanked the organisers and commended the winners, urging other Ugandans, especially teachers to emulate Mrs. Gertrude Ssekabira who was the Lifetime Achievement Winner and received sh7m for her role in promoting girl child education. The other winners included New Vision’s Caroline Ariba. The evening was crowned by a performance by Maurice Kirya, who performed songs such as Tulo, Tuli Misubawa and I Will Sing

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Family members join Stanley Kamoga (second left) to receive the Best Individual Award in the Child Protection Category
 

Winners of the 2014 Tumaini Awards