Pictorial: How Janzi Awards Turned A Performing Stage For Thirsty Artists

The inaugural Janzi Awards lifestyle event took place over the weekend at the Kololo Airstrip in celebration of Uganda’s cultural, creative, and performing arts.

The two-day ceremony honored the creative industry’s movers and shakers, from Lillian Mbabazi’s tribute to the late Radio Mowzey, who received the Outstanding Legendary Artist award, to Pia Pounds, who won two awards: Song of the Year and Outstanding Video, to Azawi’s Album African Music, which won Album of the Year.

After receiving Mowzey’s gong, Lillian Mbabazi delivers a speech.

Despite a few hiccups that tainted the awards, such as a fist fight on stage, the invited guests displayed pomp and glamour. The night’s highlights included Sheeba and Azawi’s mind-blowing performances, Lillian Mbabazi’s tribute to Moze Radio, Apass’s acoustic performance of Wuuyo, and Bad Black’s rib-cracking speech.

The lucky creatives are listed below.

Jimmy Spire Ssentongo

Outstanding comedy award

Uncle Mo Kiboneka

Outstanding Community Museum Award 

Igongo Cultural Centre

Outstanding magician/illusionist

Jonathan the Magician

Domestic Tourism Award

Trip Addicts

Traditional medicine innovator award

Prof Patrick Ogwang/Covidex

Outstanding MC award

MC Kats Katamba

Outstanding Innovator Award

Zeenode Limited

Outstanding makeup artist award

Mona Faces

Outstanding interior Designer

One100 Interiors Uganda

Outstanding architect award

William Henry Sentongo

Outstanding Painter

Joseph Ntesibe

Outstanding Photographer Award

Edgar Batte

Outstanding fashion designer

Abbas Kaijuka

Outstanding Stylish in fashion award

Mavo Kampala

Outstanding Actor

Housen Mushema

Outstanding song of the year

Pia Pounds – Tupaate

Outstanding Western Artist 

Ray G

Outstanding dance group 

Masaka Kids Africana

Outstanding TV Drama

Baguma

Outstanding video award

Pia Pounds – Tupaate

Outstanding audio producer 

Nessim pan production

Outstanding Audio producer Regional 

Master Beats 

Outstanding Faith-based musician

Levixone

Outstanding RnB artist 

Liam Voice

Outstanding kadongo Kamu male artist

Willy Mukaabya

Outstanding App

Afro Mobile

Outstanding Vocalist

Kenneth Mugabi

Outstanding Performer 

Sheebah Karungi

Outstanding Afro-Zouk Artist

B2C (Kampala Boys)

Outstanding TV Drama

Baguma

Outstanding Entrepreneurial Artist 

Bobi Wine

Outstanding Actor

Housen Mushema

Male artist of the year

Pallaso

Humanitarian Award

Levixone (Kosovo NGO)

Outstanding Producer/ Film & Video

Usama Mukwaya

Outstanding Visual Effects/ Film & Video

Usama Mukwaya

Outstanding DJ

DJ Slick Stuart And Roja

Outstanding Promoters

Talent Africa 256

Outstanding Album of the Year

Azawi (African Music)

Viewer’s Choice Award

Eddy Kenzo

Outstanding Video Producer Regional (North)

McElvis Onset (Rasta Swagg-Pi Naka)

Outstanding Film

The Girl in the Yellow Jumper (Produced and directed by Loukman Ali)

Outstanding Northern Artist

Profesa Maros

Outstanding Eastern Artist

Rody Gavana (Akello)

Outstanding Theatre Production

The Chains of Dance (Edward Sembatya)

Outstanding Online Newspaper