10 Movers and Shakers of Tweny Tweny

2020 is the year everyone wants to forget. It was like a nightmare after watching a horror movie, except we didn't wake up from it. This, certainly because when the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world, Uganda was brought to its knees. For many across the country, it meant the loss of jobs. And consequently, the loss of means to finance their livelihoods. 

Every sector was hit so bad it seemed impossible to recover. The nation was, as such, thrown in a frenzy. One moment it was a bad rumour and the next we were locked down. And we realized we needed heroes. But none had the right knowledge to combat or, at the very least, console the nation. 

People cried unto their pastors. Only to be met by shock. Not even the prophets, renowned for the foresight of worldly events could rise their heads. It was pronounced a dead year for the biggest percentage of the world. And yet, some people refused to be burnt by the ugly flames of 2020. 

They rose above the flames and made the country proud. They exhibited unnatural forms of resilience, perseverance and patriotism across the different spheres of work. When Covid-19 shook to move Uganda, they pushed right back.

Ladies and gentlemen, the movers and shakers of 2020.

Joshua Cheptegei

Joshua Cheptegei is perhaps, the most uncelebrated Athlete of our time. As Uganda is paying attention to socialites in the frivolous calibre of Bad Black, many fail to realize the luck they have to live in the same generation as the great Joshua Cheptegei. 

The Spanish city of Valencia had never seen an outdoor world record on the track before Cheptegei's 10,000-meter world record. Joshua Cheptegei reeled off 25 laps in an average of less than 63 seconds apiece to stop the clock in 26:11.00 to break a second world record in the same year.

This happened just 54 days after he had taken Kenenisa Bekele's 5000m world record at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco, he removed the last remaining evidence of the phenomenal Ethiopian at the top of distance running's all-time lists by taking 6.53 seconds from his 2005 mark of 26:17.53. He is first on this list because he hoisted Uganda's flag so high at a time when all our flags were flying at quarter mast. 

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

To lead a country in 2020 the way H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni led is no easy feat. He became the father that the country needed. His national addresses turned from instructions about Covid-19 to a place of relief. 

The country would have easily been thrown into a panic, had it not been the addresses. How he requested for funds, and how he carried with him a bag of jokes, and how he slurped his porridge. How he effected a series of phased programs that have up to now, mitigated the spread of Covid-19. 

All served to spell the great leader that he is. He might be misunderstood by some, but 2020 was the year he gave Uganda his A- Game. And this much, even opposition politicians concur.

Jane Ruth Achieng

You can't mention surviving 2020 in Uganda without mentioning Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng. She has been at the front line of fighting Covid-19 through her work as Minister of Health. 

She especially displayed bravado when she stood up against a group of expatriates that had refused to follow orders at the Entebbe National Airport in the earlier times of the breakout. From the Covid-19 updates to the endless meetings she has sat in to ensure the safety of Ugandans, to the execution of her mandate in such dire times, she has been efficient. 

Nancy Kitaka

It is very rare for people to leave the country and still hold their origin dear. Nancy Kitaka, a Ugandan who left 20 years ago is a bit different. Her heart still bleeds for the country. During the very height of the Covid-19 effect on the country, she realized the conversation had moved away from the HIV/AIDS sensitization. 

Speaking at one of her outreaches, Nancy Kitaka said she realized the need to revamp and intensify the work against the HIV/AIDS spread. 

"There is no new treatment for HIV/AIDS. Yet children are being born, who need to be sensitized that HIV/AIDS is still spread. The fight needs to go on. Those on ARVs need to continue receiving their medications. The fight against Covid-19 should co-exist with the fight against HIV/AIDS," she spoke during a phone interview after one of her outreaches.  

She is special to Uganda because she reignited the fight against HIV/AIDS in an era where attention was waning. 

She realized many girls across Uganda didn't have access to pads because Covid-19 made food a priority and she started an online campaign where different groups of individuals donated small amounts of money to donated pads to the Mityana Foundation, Mildmay International HIV Aids hospital and Nameele in Gayaza. 

"On my birthday, 25th of September, I decided to give back so I launched a Go Fund Me on 26th. Individuals have been supporting me. We managed to facilitate Mityana Foundation and Mildmay International. Obviously because of the political stand in Uganda we had to stop. We are still trying to work out to identify the neediest people that we need to donate to. Before Covid started, we met with Sheeba Karungi of Holic Pads and had a very productive meeting. She is now our partner," Nancy Kitaka stated during a phone interview.

Brian Ahumuza alias Abryanz

The fashion industry has been graced by many talents. But none as consistent as Brian Ahumuza of the famous Abryanz Collection. For the past 7 years, he has organized and hosted the biggest red-carpet event in Africa, the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards; so perfectly that many had forgotten why they had fallen in love with the young man. It was his shop. 

The Abryanz Collection, a styling hub for celebrities and moneyed people that started humble, but grew into the biggest fashion brands in Uganda. When Covid-19 struck, it meant that the ASFAs wouldn't happen, and therefore gave him more time to concentrate on the true potential of his brand. At a time when food seemed to be the only necessity people cared about, he took a bold step and expanded his shop. 

He innovated and invested more in his craft, and encouraged celebrities to reinvent themselves through the shop. With the encouragement came more business. But that wasn't the clincher. The Abryanz T-Shirts, which are the only celebrity named clothing item in Uganda that are considered trendy and therefore bought by many, seemed to have paved way for the make of something bigger. Abryanz hinted in 2020 that he is set to launch his clothing line, complete on clothing and accessory front. The stylist stood out in the fashion industry, 

Pallaso

It was only a matter of time before Uganda realized what a musical genius Pius Mayanja alias Pallaso is. And it took 2020 for people to finally appreciate him. And it isn't for his lyrical prowess on all of his songs, which have been hit songs this year. It is for each and everything he does on the songs. 

From the singing to the rapping, to the groove and his swag and persona, breathing magnificence into the songs he releases. He gave Uganda a reason to dance in 2020 with songs like Malamu, Akomererwe, Money. 2020 was a bad time that needed musical relief from a great artiste. Pallaso was that artiste.

Kemiyondo Coutinho

Kemiyondo Coutinho has been a constant force to reckon with in as far as developing Uganda's film industry. The Ugandan playwright, actress and filmmaker was a recipient of the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 nod. And yet this year got better. She featured in Apple TV's anthology series titled "Little America" and whether or not it was her influence, the trailer speaks huge volumes about Uganda and we are certain it's her presence that warranted it. 

Patricia Akello

Patricia Akello, also Tricia Akello, a professional model born and bred in Uganda, but currently signed with the Muse Model Management company in New York City isn't new to great strides in her career.She walked the 2017 New York Fashion Week, in September, working for the Bottega Veneta brand and was featured in the cover of Women's Wear Daily magazine. While it is rare for models to think beyond the brands they model for, Patricia Akello used the lockdown as a chance to rethink and the result was the birth of her clothing line dubbed Pakello SwimWear. 

Sheeba Karungi

It is not every day that musical artistes see the need to invest. But slowly, Sheeba Karungi has seen the light and has started a journey of entrepreneurship.

Paul Owor

Of the young people that have joined politics, none has been as tactical, and as effective as an independent candidate of Busiro South, Paul Owor. The entrepreneur turned politician has shaken Busiro South into forgetting all their previous leaders with his youthful tactics. 

While his popularity in Busiro South soared for feats like donating ambulances among other feats, he has amassed quite the legion of fans on Twitter for his philanthropy. 

The businessman, who dabbles as a musical artiste (under the stage name The Executives) is renowned for donating money to different individuals who reach out to him through Twitter about their problems. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic heights, he spearheaded a number of community based entrepreneurial skilling schemes that were engineered privately by him and his friends to empower youths to create jobs.