Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and Beatrice Lamwaka were among the winners at the Janzi Awards, announced in Kampala, Uganda on December 11, 2021.
The Janzi Awards are a new platform where outstanding achievements, innovations and diversity in Uganda’s Cultural, Creative and Performing Arts forms are recognized and celebrated. They are hosted by the Uganda Development Forum, a national network of state and non-state actors united by a shared commitment to propel sustainable socio-economic development in line with the aspirations of the people of Uganda. Over 90 awards were awarded in the categories of Music, Performing Arts, Collecting Societies, Film & Video, Visual Arts & Crafts, Books & Publishing, Software & Innovations, Cultural & National Heritage, and Support Services. This ambitious award scheme is the first we have seen featuring all artistic disciplines.
The process of getting to the winners started with submissions announced and the public voting after which the top contenders were scrutinised by a panel of judges. These judges are authorities in their industry domains or those who could offer value in different spheres or disciplines.
This is a literary blog so our focus was on the Books and Publishing category which included the following nominees announced in September;
Outstanding Book
- The First Woman, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
- Zura Maids, by Apio Atuko
- Deserted, Bob Godfrey Kisiki
Outstanding Children’s Storybook
- Namulanda, Walaabyeki Magoba
- Munini The weeping Bean, Rachel Twinomugisha
- Battle of the Jungle Book, Agaba Denis
Outstanding Children’s Book Illustrator
- Philip Nsamba
- Davis Bamwine
- Tumuhaise John Baptist
Outstanding Fiction Writer
- Butterfly Dreams, Beatrice Lamwaka
- Do Not Love Me in English, Bridget Ankunda
- Mathias Mulumba (Poet, Novelist, Short story writer)
Outstanding Non- Fiction Writer
- Work and Prosper, Charles Peter Mayiga
- It’s a Pity She is Not a Boy, Joyce Mpanga
- What I saw when I died, Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
Outstanding Screen Play Writer
- Kela, Cissy Nalumansi
- Deception, Louis Muhereza
- Baguma, Mutoni Jordanah
The winners announced on Saturday were revealed to be;
- Outstanding Book: The First Woman, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
- Outstanding Children’s Storybook: Namulanda, Walaabyeki Magoba
- Outstanding Children’s Book Illustrator: Davis Bamwine
- Outstanding Fiction Writer: Butterfly Dreams, Beatrice Lamwaka
- Outstanding Non- Fiction Writer: Work and Prosper, Charles Peter Mayiga
- Outstanding Screen Play Writer: Baguma, Mutoni Jordanah
