The second edition of the Social Media Awards (SMAs), an initiative poised to reward excellence, innovation and impact in the use of social media tools and platforms by individuals and organisations in Uganda took place on Saturday at Gold Course Hotel.
The event had a blend of social media influencers, experts, and enthusiasts. They mixed and mingled as they shared their experiences about the use of social media in the country.
Nation Media Group’s powerhouse, NTV Uganda, bagged two awards, winning Best Innovation for the NTV Mobi App and Best Media Outlet. Airtel Uganda won the biggest category, Best Brand of the Year.
The awards were judged by Richard Zulu, the founder and lead at Outbox, a hub powered by Google, that helps new and upcoming African entrepreneurs interested in using technology to build high growth companies with workspace, mentorship, and training programmess. The others were Badru Ntege, a pioneer and seasoned internet and technology expert, and Barbara Birungi, the founder of Women In Technology Uganda, Ruth Aine Tindyebwa, freelance blogger and online journalist covering youth development, governance and society issues and African innovations and Philip Ogola, a ‘Digital Humanitarian’ who revolutionalised the use of social media in emergency response in Kenya.
The winners
Best Brand: Airtel
Crisis Management: Umeme
Best Media Outlet: NTV
Best Campaign: MTN Egg hunt
Best Civil Service /public sector: KCCA
Best Social Justice:
40 days over 40 smiles
Most Influential Personality: Amama Mbabazi
Best Photography: Oscar Ntege
Best Entertainment Website: Big Eye
Best Customer Care Service: NWSC
Best Innovation: NTV Mobi
Best YouTube Channel: Katoto
Best Blog/Blogger: Ernest Bazanye
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