Beyond Uganda’s headlines
The Ugandan Press Photo Awards recently named their selection of winners for photo storytelling, encouraging photographers to share diverse perspectives on on Ugandan life
The Ugandan Press Photo Awards recently named their selection of winners for photo storytelling. The theme given was ‘Beyond the Headlines’ – encouraging photographers to share diverse perspectives on Ugandan life. In this essay we share two photos from each of the shortlisted photo stories.
First-place winner Kuloba Peter Tera’s submission Basani Barura (The Men are Getting Out), depicts the practice of imbalu, where boys are initiated into manhood. It begins after the second full moon in August.
Atiko Anthony, who came in second place, submitted Human Mobility – Loss and Damage. It depicted the effects of climate change, particularly in relation to displacement, human mobility and migration.
Third-place winner Julius Odeke’s Mount Elgon Floods covered the heavy downpours of 30 July 2022 that destroyed several areas, displaced 150 homesteads and killed at least 29 people. People wailed as the bodies of their loved ones were pulled out by locals with no protective gear.
Miriam Watsemba, an honourable mention, submitted Postponed Dreams. It explores teenage girls’ experience with unplanned pregnancies during the Covid-19 lockdown in Northern Uganda. The project was inspired by national media coverage and public concern about the high and growing number of teenage pregnancies throughout the country.
Vanessa Mulondo’s The Fishermen’s Tale, another honourable mention, exhibits Lake Eyasi’s fishermen, tucked away amidst the stunning landscapes of the Ngorongoro hills and Rift Valley in Tanzania. Their fishing practice is unique: they catch small fish, which they carefully dry and sell as animal feed.
