Whenever you do something good and of importance, just know someone is out there watching. And now, our own Ugandans led by beauty queen and environmentalist Judith Heard have eaten big after scooping vital nominations in the African prestigious Forty Under 40 awards 2024.
The nominated Ugandans include; Judith Heard under the category of Environmental and Climate Sustainability, Nixon Kitimoi under Banking and Finance. Then, Aaliyah Sekatawa under Consultancy and Professional Services, Nyesiga Oscar under Fashion.
Furthermore, we have Nalukenge Sharon Salmon nominated under Music and Entertainment category. Julius Kabugu under Science, Technology and Innovation and then lastly Desire Rachael Luzinda under Theatre and Arts.
Who are these nominees and what do they do?
For starters, let us look at Judith Heard. She is a female Ugandan, socialite, beauty queen, entrepreneur and environmentalist. She also runs a charity organisation and has impacted a lot in all those areas especially beaty sector and environment.
She started the 5 Million Trees Africa campaign, a special project that was to ran through the whole of Africa with partners like football legend Didier Drogba. She has planted trees in various places of Africa including Islands on Lake Victoria.
Nixon Kitimoi is a Male Ugandan that has done the unthinkable in the Banking and Finance sector. He is an entrepreneur and a startup owner that has marked his steps on that sector so well.
Nixon Kitimoi is the Chief Investment Officer, 1Stock Limited, he is a Partner, Network VC/ Silicon Valley Syndicate Fund. More so, he is a Consultant at Uganda Development Forum, a Senior Consultant, Pal and Lisa Associates and the Director at Pal and Lisa.
Aaliyah Sekatawa is the Managing Director of Rockstone Management Company, which is an investment holding and management services company with diversified investments across key growth sectors of the economy. She is also a motivational speaker that has touched all spheres of life.
Nyesiga Oscar was born in 1999 and is popularly known as Oscar Kampala, a Ugandan Fashion designer. His owns one of the Biggest gentlemen Brand in Uganda head quartered in Kampala known as Oscar Kampala.
ALSO READ: Judith Heard 2.4m Daughters’ Makeup Kits Shopping Sets Trend
Oscar Kampala gained massive popularity on 2021 after several recommendations of High profile men to his suits and his famous 1,000 Men first edition in 2022. He is the man behind most elegant men in suits in Kampala.
Julius Kabugu is a Software Engineer, Entrepreneur and Team Lead with over 20 years’ experience in developing enterprise software solutions and applications. Currently he leads data operations development team at FICO.
He furthermore served as Former Director of Communications for the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA), and Co-founder of Miss Uganda North America Leadership Program.
Nalukenge Sharon Salmon aka Sharon O is a former Obsessions singing group member who won the hearts of Africans through her well-crafted music. More so, she is a former Big Brother Africa housemate who represented Uganda in the sixth season of the show. She finished in fifth place on Day 91 after receiving 1/15 votes to win.
And Desire Luzinda is a former secular music artiste that turned into a gospel artist and went into Philanthropy.
Briefly, what is the Forty Under 40 awards
Well, these awards were founded in Accra, Ghana and they are purposely for identifying those Africans under 40 years from 55 countries of Africa that have done a great impact in their societies.
They are organised with 40 categories that bring all spheres of personalities that have impacted their societies. They are organized in Ghana, but for the years 2022 they were organized from South Africa.
” Our aim is to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the continents most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age forty from a wide range of industries we cover, who are committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries at a relatively young age” Mr. Richard Abbey Jr. the Forty Under 40 awards Events Director explained.
Awards categories are; Agriculture and Agro Processing, Finance and Banking, Architecture, Aviation, Family Business, Food Catering and Beverages, Education, Fashion, Event Marketing and Planning.
Also, Insurance, Logistics and Supplies, Law, Pensions, Social Enterprise, Theatre and Arts, Science Technology and Innovation, Transport and Automobile, Environmental and Climate Sustainability, Consultancy and Professional Services among others.
Nominations for the Forty Under 40 Awards 2024 were open on 23rd October 2023, and closed on 17th December 2023. The announcement of Nominees was done on 10th January 2024.
Then voting began on 15 January 2024, and it will close on 27th February 2024. Then 20th to 22nd March will be the exhibition of tourism activities and the awards event will be held in Kenya from 25th-30th March 2024 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, Upper Hill.
So, you have to go vote for your favorite through this link HERE
