Over 250 nominees were on Friday evening unveiled in the first ever Janzi Awards during a star-studded event held at Sheraton Hotel.
Sylvia Owori the Director of Operations at Operation Wealth Creation, also the chairperson organizing committee, Janzi Awarda, said that they received over 75000 but they reduced it to 300.
Owori said that the awards are meant to celebrate the creative industry and the role it plays in creating employment as well as its contribution to the economy.
She added, “With the Janzi Awards, we want more creative talents discovered and celebrated. Let us unite the country through creative arts.”
Owori noted that the awards are a result of the meetings that were held in Gulu and through these interactions, Gen. Saleh and the President were able to appreciate the artists.
The OWC head of operations added, “I thank God that by God’s Grace an artist like you I have been able to penetrate to government and I have now influenced the decision makers to pull off this award, I am so passionate about art and because of this I found my way into Government, I have been chosen to take the lead to work with fellow artists and will do everything in my power to uplift the art industry.”
Nominations
The nominees that made the final list, were got from 9 domains and 96 categories where the Janzi Awards Academy (JAA) members from each of the 9 domains (Music, Performing Arts,
Collecting Societies, Film & Video, Visual Arts & Crafts, Books & Publishing, Software & Innovations, Cultural & National Heritage, Support Services) voted to determine the nominees as submitted by the public, in their respective categories.
Members of the Janzi Awards Academy, will review the nominees after the public vote is closed on December 5, and vote for the winners in all the 96 categories. The public vote will constitute 30% of the overall winner’s vote.
In addition to the categories announced, the JAA will honor Moses Matovu of the legendary Afrigo Band with the Janzi Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in Music.
The Janzi Lifetime Achievement Award is a special Janzi Award that will be awarded by the JAA to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance in the music industry.
The awards that will take place on December 11 and 12, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
Those nominated in the Music industry, Male Artist of the Year, include Pius Mayanja, Alias Pallaso (Malamu hit), EDirisa Musuza Alias Eddy Kenzo (Weekend song) Fik Fameica (Buligita Song)., Female Artist of the Year, Swa ngz venue’s Azawi (song, Slow Dancing), Sheebah Karungi, (song, Nakkyuka) Spice Diana, (Song, Body).
Outstanding Song of the Year Mudra (Muyaayu), Mr. Ezzy (Tumbiiza Sound), Pallaso (Malamu)
Pia Pounds (Tupaate), Outstanding Kadongokam Artist (Male), Willy Mukabya (Beera Mugumu)
JB Byekwaso (Ekirooto Kya Kafero), Moses Sekabira (Nanfuka), Outstanding Kadongokamu Artist (Female), Josephine Ndagire (Teri Musajja W’omu), Jackie Kizito (DNA), Madina Nakiwala (Rasta Woman Omubanda), and Emerging Artist Award Mudra (Muyaayu), Zex Bilangilangi (Nalinda), Mr. Ezzy (Tumbiiza Sound).
Under the Outstanding Legendary Artist, there’s the Late Moses Ssekibogo alias Moze Radio (Tambula Nange), Maddox Sematimba (Namagembe), Joseph Mayanja alias, Jose Chameleon (Valu Valu)
Artist cum politician, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, was nominated in Outstanding Entrepreneurial Artist alongside Sheebah Karungi (Holic Pads), B2C (Kiyamba Ffena Wipes) domain of music.
Under the Outstanding Film category, Tecora (Story by Muyanja Bashir) was nominated alongside November Tear (Written and directed by Richard Nondo, Daphne Ampire, Joel Okuyo Atiku Prynce, Raymond Rushabiro, Cindy Sanyu, Housen Mushema), The Girl in the Yellow Jumper (Produced and directed by Loukman Ali).
Under the Outstanding Documentary, I Won’t Kneel by Hilda Awori, was nominated alongside
Demystifying Lifts and Lows (Kankunda Titi), Kanungu Doomsday (Bart Kakooza), and Outstanding TV Drama, Baguma, Sanyu and Presitige were nominated.
