FOTEA Announces 2024 Photography Award Winners and Launches Fujifilm Partnership

FOTEA is proud to announce the winners of the 13th edition of the Uganda Press Photo Award (UPPA), the 7th edition of East African Photography Award (EAPA), and 9th edition of the Young Photographer Award (YPA). With the new partnership with Fujifilm, the year's competition winners will be awarded Fujifilm cameras and kit lenses.

The East African Photography Award now in its seventh year, is open to East African visual storytellers Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It celebrates documentary and artistic work that reflects the contemporary existence of people, the planet, and other stories of life in East Africa.

This year, EAPA continues to grow steadily with Sudanese photographers taking centre stage this year, showcasing their talent and resilience despite the challenging circumstances in their country.

Hassan Kamil (SD), takes home the top stories prize for his captivating work, 'An Unexpected Tale From A No Longer Forgotten City'. Chosen from a competitive pool of submissions from across the region, Kamil's collection of photographs are a chilling reminder of the consequences of civil unrest through his depiction of a new life away from his home in Khartoum. Through his photographs, we are able to draw links to how our ever changing environments have a direct impact on all aspects of personhood.

Hassan takes home a Fujifilm X-T5 camera and XF 16-50 kit, courtesy of Fujifilm Middle East FZE.

Awab Elmisabh Ali Abdelrahim (SD)'s portrait, 'Hanging Soul,' winner of the Human category, was also selected as the overall Single Image winner. The powerful image captures the raw emotion of Ammar's grief and depression following the loss of his father. Through this deeply personal portrayal, the photograph speaks to the universal experience of loss, resonating with viewers through its vulnerability and emotional depth.

Awab takes home a Fujifilm X-T50 camera and XF 16-50 kit, courtesy of Fujifilm Middle East FZE.

EAPA 2024 was judged by a jury composed of regional and international photography professionals including Sebah Chaudhry, Producer and Curator (PK/UK); Martin Kharumwa, Photographer and Gallerist (UG), Luis Tato, Photo Editor AFP (SP/KE), Maggie Soladay, Photo Editor at The Open Society Foundations (US); Asha Iman Veal, Associate Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Photography (US).

The Uganda Press Photo Award (UPPA) continues its tradition of recognizing the best photography and photojournalism in Uganda. This year, we invited Ugandan photographers to submit work under the theme 'WITNESS.'

Last year saw a rise in online social advocacy fueled by photography. Many used social media and mobile phones to share images raising awareness about issues like poor road infrastructure, healthcare, and accountability.

Photography documents our reality, serving as both witness and evidence. It evokes empathy, provides proof, and plays a vital role in shaping public consciousness and driving change. Through these visual stories we look to create emotional connections, reflecting shared experiences and challenges.

Hajarah Nalwadda responded to the theme with her story ‘Lost’ which captures the devastating aftermath of a terrorist attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Senior Secondary School in Nyabugando village, Kasese district. Through her poignant imagery, she brings to light the tragedy and human cost of the attack, offering a haunting yet important visual narrative of the community's grief and resilience.

Hajarah takes home a Fujifilm X-T50 camera and XF 16-50 kit, courtesy of Fujifilm Middle East FZE.

UPPA 2024 was judged by a jury composed of regional and international photography professionals including an Independent Curator, Martha Kazungu (UG), Photographer Ala Kheir (SD) and Photo Editor Anne Nwakalor (NG/UK).

The Young Photographer Award (YPA) is an educational initiative aimed at nurturing emerging photographers with a passion for documentary photography or photojournalism. The winner, along with the runners-up, will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive Mentorship Programme. This programme offers a bootcamp-style course, providing hands-on learning about photography, while also guiding participants in developing a documentary photography project under the mentorship of an industry professional.

Barbara Mercy Leni takes home the 2024 Young Photographer Award. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and has dedicated herself to projects and organisations that align with her passion for storytelling and social impact. Her commitment is evident in her submission, which focuses on neurological and developmental disabilities, reflecting the impactful work she has done in this field.

Barbra receives a Fujifilm X-S20 camera with XF 16-50 kit, courtesy of Fujifilm Middle East FZE. She also gets an invitation to participate in next year's Emerging Photographer Mentorship Programme, where she will have the opportunity to further develop her project and showcase her work during UPPA 2025.

This year's edition was judged by photographers Zahara Abdul (UG), Dennis Kimbugwe (UG) and Miriam Watsemba (UG).

Congratulations to all the photographers!

An exhibition presenting all the winning images will open to visitors from Thursday, October 17th at MoTIV Uganda until November 10th. 

The show will also feature work from Nathan Joseph Kuteesa, a runner-up in last year’s Young Photographer Award, showcasing the outcome of his participation in this year’s Emerging Photographer Mentorship Programme.

Nathan's project titled ‘A New Chapter: The Story of the Kahal Kadosh Sheertte Yisrael Uganda Community’ showcases the Kahal Kadosh Sheertte Yisrael (KKSY) Uganda community, part of the Abayudaya Jewish group that has established a unique identity in Eastern Uganda.

For more information on what else will be happening, please check our exhibition month programme.