These personalities ruled the year 2024
Be it in politics, sports or entertainment, there are personalities who stood out for the youths in the year 2024.
The Youth Blitz looks at some of them in no particular order
Isaac Ssemakadde
In September, 2024, Isaac Ssemakadde was elected as the new Uganda Law Society President for the next two years.
The self-proclaimed legal rebel who is also the Executive Director of the Legal Brains Trust, a public interest law firm based in Kampala, Uganda promised his campaigns on ushering in much-needed reforms, particularly in strengthening the rule of law in Uganda.
Under the ‘banging the table’ slogan, Ssemakadde has lived to the expectation of many lawyers, causing tectonic changes in the legal profession but also popularizing the Uganda Law Society.
Agatha Atuhaire
Journalist, Agatha Atuhaire has been among those who dominated the year 2024 with his stance against corruption and being vocal against human rights violation.
She has effectively used social media platforms to expose mismanagement of government resources and holding several government officials and agencies accountable.
Atuhaire has been hailed by many youths for inspiring them in the fight for a better country.
Eddy Kenzo
Singer Edirisa Musuuza , also known as Eddy Kenzo has continued to grab the headlines in the year 2024 for a number of reasons.
The singer who also doubles as the President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) championed the presentation of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2024 .
Consequently, the bill successfully passed through Parliamentary counsel and gained overwhelming support from cabinet.
It is soon being tabled before parliament for debate and passing.
These efforts spearheaded by UNMF headed by Kenzo are significant step towards strengthening intellectual property laws in Uganda but also making the singer popular among youths.
This year, Kenzo was also appointed as Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives.
The appointment, made by President Yoweri Museveni, was a significant recognition of the creative industry’s contribution to Uganda’s development, according to the award-winning singer.
Commenting about the appointment, Kenzo said he is ready to make it count.
“This appointment means creatives now have a window they can use to air out their grievances and to pass on useful information to the President,” he said.
Indeed, he has lived up to this statement advising the president on a number of occasions.
Phiona Nyamutooro
The national female youth Member of Parliament, Phiona Nyamutoro was appointed by President Museveni as minister of state for energy and mineral development, in charge of minerals.
Following the appointment, Nyamutooro has been vocal in her new ministry.
The youthful minister and MP grabbed the headlines when she introduced singer Eddy Kenzo to her parents in a colourful ceremony.
They would later tie the knot in a colourful traditional ceremony.
Not only in her line ministry, Nyamutooro as an MP, helped Kenzo in the processing of the copyright law which is going to play a key role in development of Uganda’s creative industry.
Joel Ssenyonyi
The youthful Member of Parliament for the Nakawa West constituency assumed office as the new leader of opposition in January 2024 and has lived to the expectation of many.
The former journalist who seemed a novice since he is serving his first term as a politician has demonstrated a strong stance against corruption which has earned him praise from the public.
He has been able to highlight inefficiencies in the use of public resources and bridging divisions but also fostering collaboration, especially among the opposition.
These attributes have earned him admiration, especially from youths around the country.
Uganda Cranes
The national football team continued its stellar performance in the year 2024, ending it on a high.
The Cranes qualified for Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with two games to play.
This was after South Sudan defeated Congo 3-2 at Juba Stadium to ensure Uganda qualified alongside South Africa.
To add an icing on the cake, Uganda beat South Sudan 2-1 away in Juba to end the qualification on a high.
Uganda qualified on 13 points, one behind group K leaders South Africa.
These developments meant that Uganda will now be playing in Afcon for the 8th time after playing in the 1962, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2017 finals previously.
Joshua Cheptegei
The Ugandan distance runner continued with his form and breaking records in the year 2024.
Cheptegei won Uganda’s first gold medal at the 2024 Olympics games in Paris in the 10,000m race for men.
Clocking a time of a time of 26:43.14 , the Ugandan runner beat Ethiopia’s Berth Aregawi who clocked 26.43.44 and USA’s Grant Fisher who clocked 26.43.46 in a thrilling contest.
The time of 26:43.14 was an Olympic record for the gold medal but he broke it.
He would later win the New Delhi Half Marathon in India in 59 minutes and 46 seconds as he continued to be a force to reckon with in athletes in the world and putting Uganda on the world map.
She Cranes
The Uganda national netball team also impressed in the year 2024, ending it on a high after bagging silver at this year’s Africa Netball Cup which climaxed in Namibia.
Uganda’s Margaret Bagala was named the tournament’s best centre .
The achievements at the continent’s biggest netball tournament saw Uganda move to second position, below eventual winners South Africa as the highest ranked African countries in world netball.
Overall in the world, Uganda ranks 6th on 4,224 points.
Sheebah Karungi
Musician Sheebah Karungi climaxed the year 2024 on a high, having held a successful Neeyanziza concert at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala.
During the concert held in October, the singer nicknamed Queen Karma announced she was going to take a six-month break from music but promised to come back stronger.
She would later wrap the year by giving birth to a baby boy named Amir, to the excitement of her fans.
