Founder of the Year Awards 2020: All the nominees

Launched in 2016, the awards seek to recognise and celebrate outstanding young entrepreneurs who create jobs and other value-adding opportunities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

The FOYAs cater to two distinct age groups of 20 to 30 and 31 to 40. The entrepreneurs are nominated in 14 categories, including Entertainment. 

"We are now proceeding with a largely virtual engagement with our wide network of stakeholders in the private, public and not–for–profit space," the awards' founder and CEO Innocent Moranga said.

"We celebrate the East African people and their resilience in the face of a crisis as they re-engineer, re-design and re-imagine their businesses and livelihoods to be more relevant for the here and now as well as for the future."

Below are all the nominees in the Entertainment category:

Under 30s 

Kenya

• Joseph Kiswili Joe Creative Graphix
• Joel Sikujua Kenflix Productions
•  Tevin Ngunjiri Omondi – Marco Bello
• Kevin Maina Sound Deluge
• Mark Mwai – Swafi TV
• Edmund Mwanjelle – Thamani Images – Kenya
• Sam Bartocho – Infinite Entertainment Kenya
• Ayolloh Paulo – Huge Laughter Entertainment Kenya
• David Mwakitele – The Hype Group Limited
• Deejay Zabu – The Bing
• Kawawa John – Creative Mess Entertainment
• Edwin Mwangi – MAQ Agency
• Camille Storm – Camille & Co.
• Paul Kitala – Beats Per Minute Entertainment
• Skillz Odongo – Streetwise Entertainment
• Robert Nganga – Station 77 + Stageward
• Noel Baraka – Karibu Kilifi
• Julia Wanjeri – JWsports1
• Kevin Kamoni – SASA Media company
• Edgar Ogaja – NBO Radio
• Christopher Nyambari – The Artrix Theatre
• Billy Frank – Talent Explore Unit
• George Odongo Ahere – Weza Interactive Entertainment

Uganda

• Alex Emix Muhangi – Comedy Store Uganda
• Danny Diaz Mwesige – Optimal Entertainment
• Nahida Bhegani – Kinaya
• Faridah Nalumansi – Paradise Events Uganda
• Simon Peter – Inflatables Uganda
• Christine Kizza – A Thousand Colour Events
• Mohsen taha – Mohsen Taha Pix
• Grace Apolot – True Vine Decorators & Events Management
• Simon Yiga – All Fun Parties Uganda
• Jolly Ngabirano – Cafe Pap
• Arnold Magyezi – Event Architect Ug
• Elia Lutaaya – Tristar Africa Skimmer Safaris
• George Stanley Nsamba – The Ghetto Film Project
• Mwebaza Martin – Marlet Studios
• Abraham Tekya – Breakdance Project Uganda
• Ruganzu Bruno – Eco Art Uganda
• Carlos George Ombonya – Fitness and Talents Showbiz (FATS Uganda Ltd )
• Tonny Okello – Know Uganda Guide

Tanzania

• Joseph Laizer– Angalia Tanzania
• Sairis Lucia – Pugu Hills Cultural Tourism Enterprise
• Gervas Kasiga – Dodoma Arts Center
• Fred Namwandu – Ascend Tanzania
• Sahalla Barack – Mega Arts Ltd
• Gladys Shao – Eventfully Tanzania
• Faha Fuad – Unzip Tanzania
• Justa Lujwangana – Curious on Tanzania
• Shukuru Amos – Tanzlite Digital
• Naseeb Mfinanga – Maasai Wanderings
• Victor Muhagachi – M–tunes
• Ridha Mobiles – Ridha Mobiles
• Rogers Katuma – Storm Africa Company Limited
• Simon Mzazi – Mbuyu Arts Group
• Samwel Japhet– Nantea Dance Company

Rwanda

• Faustine Iradukunda – Mystique Arts
• Natacha Nduwimana – Jelim Premier Events
• Mutabazi Fiacre – Rwanda Artist Network
• Timothy Wandulu – Arted–rwanda & Concepts Arts Studios
• Dj.Karipso Parire Martin – Triple W Comedy Dance
• Alain Patrick Irere Hirwa – Ikobe Communications Ltd
• Pioneer Hakizimana – Eleganci Creative Studio
• Bimenyimana Alphonse – Balymus Ltd
• Daniel Rwema Ngarambe – Ishakwe
• Benjamin Byiringiro – Bravecity Youth
• Beata M. S. – Progirembo Ltd
• Ndahimana Gilbert – Umurage Wacu Group
• Christian (Uwayo) Mutarasisi – Rwanda Culture Promoters Initiative
• Rugwiza Olivier– Abiru Arts
• Mugabo Jerome – Capital View Ltd
• Pelerin Ishimwe – Unoze Music Ltd
• Nkusi Arthur – Arthur Nation
• Janvier Ndasiyenga – Mystory Ltd
• Shema Abdoul – Thezoom Magazine
• Imanishimwe Jean D’amour – Huza Arts Rwanda
• Jean Luc Habimana – Image Rwanda
• Remy Ryumugabe– Kiruri Mfn
• Ngabonziza Bonfils – Arts For Peace Today
• Jean Tuyisenge – Ityazo Media Group Ltd

Submit your vote here.

Over 30s

Kenya

• Allan Ouma – Klique Entertainment
• Wanuri Kahiu – Afrobubblegum
• Mike Strano – MyChoice TV
• Duncan Gwaro – 24–7 Entertainment
• Sammy Muraya – System Unit
• Ray Mutai – MindGames Productions LLC
• Paul Kibukosya – UlopaNgoma SideB Ltd
• Steve Kamala – Brave Entertainment
• Victor Ong' era – Tujenge Art
• Frederick Ochieng – Read Me Magazine
• Kevin Odhiambo – 624 animation
• Jon Kabi – 1SoundMusic
• Brian Nyambane – CAQfam entertainment
• Boniface Maithya – Nairobi Live Media Services
• David Mwakitele – The hype group limited
• Daniel Macharia – Pure Decibels
• DeejayMe Superfly – Teamstarz Entertainment
• Joseph Mwenda – DJ Joe Mfalme Ltd
• Sauti Sol – Sol Generation
• Duncan Gichu– Ziki sound
• Elvis Bwire – Inkverse Studios
• Edward Nyanaro – 254 Talent Management
• Nathan Masyuko – LudiqueWorks Ltd
• Eric Omondi – Big Tyme Entertainment
• Mike Muthiga – Fatboy Animations
• Trevor Kabugi – Bugika Entertainment

Uganda

• Rachael Ray Kungu (DJ Rachael) – Femme Electronic
• Ann Kansiime – AKTV
• Brian Businge – Howwe Ltd
• Carol K – Gpads Events Management Solutions
• Joshua Gordon Otim – Ushers Palace Ltd
• Ali Musoke – Film Possible
• Kasule Douglas – Filmmakers Mix & Mingle
• Namanya Denis Nad– Betta Films
• Abass Amin – Bonfire Uganda
• Moses Serugo – African Movie Night Kampala
• Walter Wander – Walters Kampala Bodaboda City Tours
• Nicholas Masete – Manic Digital
• Baraka Yudaya – The Daud Group

Tanzania

• Joachim Mabula – Tiba Fasta
• Doreen Estazia Noni – 102.5 Lake Fm
• Alfonse Shelukindo – Magamba Eco–cultural Tourism Enterprise
• Mohamed Pande – Gamerz Central 
• Nyanda Ikombe – Zenze Playgrounds
• Desy Ulimali – Dondosha
• Krantz Mwantepele – Koncept Tv 
• Abella Bateyunga – Lovearts Ltd
• Alex Masiga – Kazi Kwanza Records 
• Paul Mongi – Ten Network (10tv Tanzania)
• Lucky Komba – Lucky Gamerz
• Osman Fazil – Chande Studio
• Boniface Gor – Dogimatt Solutions Ltd

Rwanda

• Malik Shaffy Lizinde – Iyugi
• Uka Essien Osaigbovo – Domestico
• Meilleur Murindabigwi – Igihe
• Kwitonda Olivier – Kwitonda Arts
• Wilson Misago – Zacu TV
• Nkurunziza Mufuth – Guez Show
• Papias Nyangeza – Film And Art For Youth Development
• Diana Mpyisi – Spoken Word Rwanda
• Pascaline N – Premier Events Rwanda
• Niyonsaba Serge – Bahe | Urumuri Arts Group
• Kwita Izina – Quincy Moore
• Elisha Arasa – Afro Beats Music Center
• Brown Karinga – Brownk Empire
• Celestin Ntawirema – Iris Pro–films 1000 Hills Ltd
• Thomas Shiva – Digital Realm Entertainment Inc
• Niyonsenga Pacifique – Niyo Cultural Centre
• Celestin Makuza – The Events Factory Rwanda
• Elias Hakizimana – The Inspirer Ltd
• Judo Kanobana – Positive Production
• Jerome Migisha Ndamage – Comedy Knights
• Celestin Ntawirema – Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show
• Emmanuel Nkuranga – Inema Arts Centre

Submit your vote here.