Tetea Uganda

Nominations for the 2011 Young Achievers Awards

Nominations for the 2011 Young Achievers Awards (YAA) will officially be opened this evening (Sept 28) at the Serena Hotel. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Honourable Amelia Kyabadde is expected to be the chief guest at the launch. The nominations process will last a month (September 29 – Oct 29).

The Evaluation process will commence thereafter, leading to the grand finale on, December 2. For the first time in the history of the Awards there is an East African Young Achiever Award category. This award will recognise one individual from each of the five East African Countries. The five will be nominated by the Chambers' of Commerce and Industry of their countries.

The YAA coordinator, Eshban Kwesiga believes 2011 will be different. "Now that YAA has gone regional it is a much bigger platform to showcase excellence and innovation," said Kwesiga. Perhaps the switch from rewarding, to recognising excellence and innovation is part of the difference Kwesiga refers to. This year, because of the short time frame and resources at hand it is impossible to have a thorough process to fork out the most deserving candidate in a competitive atmosphere. None-the-less, measures have been put in place to ensure the right persons are recognised.

In addition to the public choices, YAA hopes to partner with different players including the media to identify this year's nominees. The nominees will then be vetted by a panel of eight eminent persons.

His Excellency, Paul Kagame, the President of the republic of Rwanda, is expected to be the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the December ceremony. While Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda is the official host of the awards.