Now, in its 6th edition, we have the annual East African Photography Award (EAPA), open to all East African visual storytellers.
The EAPA category invites East African photographers to submit their best single images to the following categories:
Human: Images that speak of people, humanity, and mankind
Planet: Related to anything to do with our world
Imagine: For creative, innovative, and experimental images
Through these categories, we continue to embrace photography's diversifying appeal. Entries to 'Human' and 'Planet' might cover issues ordinarily within the scope of journalism and documentary, with the 'Imagine' category as an open invitation to artistic, commercial, and fine art photographers to showcase their work.
You can still submit a story, too- these categories should be treated as inspiration.
We look forward to seeing documentary and artistic work that reflects on the contemporary existence of people and the planet and stories of life in East Africa.
The world around us is changing fast, and as creative workers, it is our job to understand, keep up with, and explain those changes. The impacts of cultural, socio-political, environmental, and technological issues are growing larger as globalization links us all together closer and the old collides with the new at every turn.
We look forward to seeing stories that show the region, its people, and its cultures from varied, sincere, and respectful viewpoints. This competition is open to single images and/or bodies of photographic work created in the last year, from August 2023 until August 1st 2024. It is an opportunity to share varied perspectives and showcase our different shared and individual identities and experiences as East Africans.
Note: Projects that were commenced before August 1st, 2023, are also eligible as long as they contain work created in the past year.
The EAPA is open to Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan citizens.
The story winner will be awarded $1,500 and the single image winner $700.
All shortlisted photographers will be rewarded with a variety of prizes.
Note: All submissions to the Single Images and Stories must be made online through the Visura platform. Guidelines and terms and conditions can also be found there.
EAPA deadline is August 10th, 2024.
The Uganda Press Photo Award (UPPA) continues the tradition of recognizing and awarding some of the best photography and photojournalism within the country. This year we're inviting Ugandan photographers to submit bodies of photographic work responding to the theme 'WITNESS.'
Last year, we saw an uptick in social advocacy, which was raised high on the shoulders of photography. Many people turned to social media and used their mobile phones to share images and raise awareness about issues affecting their lives. These included the state of roads and healthcare, service delivery and accountability, and much more.
Photography plays a pivotal role in documenting our reality as a witness and as evidence. It evokes empathy and provides proof, and its impact on history, governance, and social advocacy underscores its power to shape public consciousness and drive change. The many images shared during these social media exhibitions provide emotional connections for all of us living the same reality and experiencing the same challenges.
This year, we decided to continue the trend and ask you to share your documented narratives that unveil your various realities.
We hope to encourage photographers to reflect more deeply on nuanced subjects and events and unleash their storytelling. Images submitted may be on any topic so long as they relate clearly to the theme and were made in the last year (between August 2022 and the deadline).
Awaiting the winner is UGX 3,000,000 prize money. The deadline is August 10th, 2024.
Note: All submissions must be made online through the Visura platform. Guidelines and terms and conditions can also be found there.
Join us as we bear witness to the stories that make Uganda.
Finally we have the annual Young Photographer Award now in its eighth edition. This award is open to emerging, passionate, Ugandan photographers between the ages of 21 and 28 years looking to cultivate a career in professional photography.
Awaiting the winner is a UGX 1,000,000 prize. The shortlisted photographers will also be able to participate in our intensive Emerging Photographer Mentorship Programme. During the program, photographers will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of photography and develop a long-term photography project that, if successful, will be exhibited during the UPPA 2025 exhibition.
How to apply:
Photographers are asked to submit the following:
A motivation letter introducing yourself as well as explaining why you should be considered for the award and the mentorship program;
A photographic project idea of a long-term project that you would like to realize and take on during the mentorship program. This has to be a realistic and attainable idea, as you may have to follow through during the mentorship program;
A portfolio of 20 JPEG images to see your photographic skill in practice.
Remember - images submitted will speak for you and your talent, so be sure to show us a variety of your best work. The images do not have to be part of a singular story.
Note: All submissions must be done online through the Visura platform .
The deadline for the Young Photographer Award is July 22nd, 2024.