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CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE |
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| Kigobe wins 1st prize of sh2m |
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| Bagiire’s project wins him a sh1m token |
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By Carol Kezaabu
Last Friday, a panel of seven judges chose Francis Kigobe as the 1st prize winner of the Ugandans Making a Difference project that has been running every Thursday in The New Vision. The project which is an initiative of The New Vision recognises Ugandans who are having a positive impact in their communities through shear selflessness.
In April, New Vision readers nominated individuals in their communities who deserved recognition for their contributions to the development of the country. Among the numerous nominations, nine people were identified fitting the criteria for the project. They were Ugandans with projects which were using local resources, had existed for at least two years, with a purpose to improve life and make a difference to more than one person.
Of these, Kigobe emerged winner and will be rewarded with sh2m for his initiative. The panel was unanimously in his favour because of his selflessness.
He was nominated for building a library for his community of Malongwe in Mukono district. After working at Kakira Sugar Works for four years, he used his savings to put up The Ceazeria Public Library. He wanted to give the people in his community a chance to make it further in their education by having access to textbooks, something he lacked when he was at school.
Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, the first runner-up, is an IT expert who started the Busoga Rural Open Source and Development Initiative. He built a website where farmers can share information on modern farming methods. He is also running a fund in his son’s name which sponsors three students every year at university level. He will get sh1m.
The second runner-up is Martin Ssempa who is making a huge impact on the youth at Makerere University through his Prime Time project.
He preaches the gospel of abstinence and faithfulness and gives students an opportunity to have fun in safer boundaries. He will get sh500,000. All the nominees will receive certificates of recognition.
The other philanthropists who were recognised in the series are Andrew Rugasira, Mwalimu Musheshe, Abdul Lutaaya, the late Musa Wakibi aka Musa Body, Beatrice Jesse Okot and Maria Baryamujura.
The panel of judges included Vincent Edoku from CARITAS, Hon. Beatrice Rwakimari, Woman MP of Ntungamo district, Dorothy Oulanya the programme manager of Hope for African Children Initiative (HACI) and a team from the newspaper.
They picked the three prize winners basing on the massive out-reach of their projects.
Hon. Rwakimari commended The New Vision for the initiative.
“You are scoring high points for this initiative and I am sure that it will inspire more people to participate in the development of their communities and not wait for outsiders,” she said.
“For example I have been trying to open an ICT centre in my constituency and Bagiire’s story has made me realise I can do it.”
Dorothy Oulanya said she was inspired by Baryamujura’s story to start a village walk in her village.
The series will run every year in commemoration of Heroes Day.
The features editor, Catherine Mwesigwa said The New Vision wants to recognise everyday people who are heroes in small ways instead of remembering only those that have departed. |
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