On Friday, December 3, 2010 at Kampala’s beautiful Serena Hotel, AGYA Youth Leaders Sarah Mulekatete and Kenneth Mulinde (pictured below) were honored among a group of Uganda’s most promising young leaders.
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 61% of the population under the age of 25. It is critical for Uganda’s youth population to have access to the resources and skills that will empower them to become productive members of society who can contribute to Uganda’s progress. This is one of the reasons that AGYA decided to focus on youth ages 13-25 as our primary target population.
The Young Achievers Awards (YAA) is an initiative designed to showcase talent and reward innovation and excellence among young Ugandans who are contributing positively to their communities and national development. The event featured performances from some of Uganda’s most popular musicians and a speech by Uganda’s President, Yoweri K. Museveni who spoke about the potential of the youth population. The youth honorees were also able to network with some of Uganda's most influential people working in the private sector including representatives from UBC (Uganda Broadcasting Corporation), real estate company Kensington, Tullow Oil, telecommunication giant MTN Uganda, and the African Development Bank.
Although more than 5,000 nominations were cast, Sarah and Kenny placed as top 20 finalists in the Social Entrepreneurship Category.
Kenny was recognized for his work as a Youth Administrator and peer art teacher at AGYA. Sarah was recognized for her work as the Director of the AGYA Girls Program, which provides academic scholarships and mentorship for more than 15 teenage girls. Sarah was one of the few finalists to be profiled in the official program materials for the event. YAA saluted Sarah, who lost her mother during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, for being a positive role model for teen girls living in Uganda's urban slums.
We are so proud of Sarah and Kenny who represented AGYA with sophistication, flair, and professionalism. This recognition is truly a testament to AGYA’s focus on nurturing the growth and development of young leaders.
Here are some photos from the event:
Above: Kenny strikes a pose on the front porch of AGYA's Community Center before heading out to the event.
Above: Sarah and Kenny arrive at Kampala's Serena Hotel.
Above & Below: Kenny and Sarah at the pre-event Reception.
Above: Sarah and Kenny with Xenson, one of Uganda's most well-known fashion designers and graffiti artists.
Above: Sarah and Kenny connect with Amagezi Gemaanyi Youth Association Board Member, Rwakatale Barnabas during the pre-event Reception.
Above & Below: Sarah and Kenny on the red carpet!
Above: Sarah and Kenny pose with AGYA Co-Founder, Abraham Matovu
