Kampala, Uganda

In a night filled with emotion and merriment, iCON recognized the contribution of inspirational, life changing women entrepreneurs for their transformational leadership that impacted the lives of countless young men and women in Uganda. As the Executive Director of iCON, Mrs. Debbie Kaddu-Serwadda remarked in her speech, “…it takes a great leader to appreciate the leadership of others.”

The inaugural iCON Entrepreneurial and Transformational Leadership Awards were held in conjunction with Uganda Women Entrepreneur’s Association Limited (UWEAL) on the 26^th November 2011 at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.  The dinner was attended by entrepreneurs, iCON and UWEAL sponsors and leaders from all walks of life.

Hon. Syda Bumba, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in her speech urged iCON and UWEAL to mentor and encourage women to invest in agro-processing as a private enterprise because of the great need in Uganda. She went on to bestow the “iCON Lifetime Entrepreneurial and Transformational Leadership Achievement Award” on five outstanding individuals for their phenomenal support for the cause of humanity.

The recipients of this award were Ms Nightingale Ruth Kalinda, who rose above all odds in her life to lead a successful campaign for fairness and equal opportunities for people living with disabilities.

Maama Theresa Mbire, for withstanding the predominantly male field of business enterprise during her youth and later contributing to the founding of organizations such as UWEAL to empower younger women to also achieve great entrepreneurial success.

Dr. Noerine Kaleeba, who established The Aids Support Organization (TASO), an internationally acclaimed organization that combated the stigma against HIV/AIDS and helped to restore hope to victims living with the disease.

Rev Canon Bartholemew Musoke Zimbe (RIP) 1845-1895, who gave up the comforts of leadership in the Buganda kingdom to advocate for the abolition of slave trade in the 19^th century and build the Protestant Church in Uganda.

Professor James Mulwana, who, by 25 years of age had already established a small scale import and export business, which grew into a wealthy empire and established the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) to promote private enterprise in Uganda.

167 more awards were furnished on eager, excited women entrepreneurs, who, in the words of Ms Irene Mutumba, the iCON Chair Person, had reached “above and beyond the call of duty” in their service and performance over time. These winners of the iCON awards were celebrated for their exceptional contributions in Public Service, Private Leadership, Voluntary Service and Community Financial Contributions, Business Entrepreneurship and Social Transformation/Entrepreneurship.

As the first of its kind, the annual iCON Entrepreneurial Transformational Leadership Awards will serve as a platform for celebration of outstanding Ugandan and African entrepreneurial, transformational, leadership attitudes and behavior. It shall also seek to promote a culture of recognition, rewards and celebration for various types of entrepreneurial and transformational leadership in Uganda and Africa.