Celebrating the champions of employability.
The Uongozi Career Awards recognise individuals and institutions championing career development, employability and skills advancement across East Africa.
Uongozi means leadership.
Presented alongside the East African Employability Summit, the Uongozi Career Awards shine a light on the people and institutions who open doors for young people — from student leaders and lecturers to employers, foundations and media.
- Individuals making an outstanding contribution
- Institutions promoting skills development
- Innovative programmes with measurable impact
- Youth leadership and entrepreneurship
From nomination
to the gala stage.
The current stage is highlighted automatically.
Nominations
Nominate individuals and institutions across five categories.
Shortlisting
The awards committee reviews every nomination and confirms finalists.
Public Voting
The public votes for their preferred finalist in each category.
Awards Gala
Winners are celebrated at the Uongozi Career Awards Gala Dinner.
Five categories.
40 awards.
Students Category
Student leaders, innovators and ambassadors shaping campus life and careers.
- Male Student Leader of the Year
- Female Student Leader of the Year
- President/Chairperson of the Year
- Secretary/Director Academics of the Year
+3 more awards
- Career Ambassador of the Year (Grand Prize)
- Mental Health Champion of the Year
- Student Innovator/Entrepreneur of the Year
Academia / Skills Institutions
Universities, TVETs and skills partners preparing learners for work.
- Alumni Association of the Year
- Most Preferred Higher Learning Institution of the Year
- Office of Career Services of the Year
- Open, Distance and E-learning (ODEL) Institution
+6 more awards
- Professional Certification/Membership Body of the Year
- TVET Institution of the Year
- Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Skills Partner of the Year
- Government Initiative of the Year
- Study Abroad Partner of the Year
- CBE Excellence Award
Other Individual Awards
Educators, leaders and career professionals making outstanding contributions.
- Alumni of the Year
- Dean of the Year
- Director of Career Services of the Year
- Lecturer of the Year
+6 more awards
- Vice-Chancellor of the Year
- Young Lecturer of the Year
- Certified Career Counsellor of the Year
- CCA Associate of the Year in Career Counselling
- Education Icon of the Year
- Industry Icon of the Year
Public / Private Sector
Employers, foundations and leaders opening doors for young talent.
- Career Influencer
- Career Mentor of the Year
- CEO of the Year
- Education Philanthropist of the Year
+5 more awards
- Employer of the Year
- Foundation of the Year
- HR Firm / Recruitment Agency of the Year
- Most Preferred Internship Company of the Year
- HR Leader of the Year
Media & Journalism
Storytellers amplifying careers, skills and opportunity.
- Career Impact Media Award
- Career Impact Journalist of the Year
- Career Impact Media House of the Year
- Career Impact Digital Creator of the Year
Public vote
Once finalists are confirmed, the public helps decide the winners in every category.
How voting worksCelebrating
past winners.
Individuals and institutions honoured at previous Uongozi Career Awards ceremonies. Tap a photo to view it full size.
champion?
Nominations are open until 17 October 2026. It takes less than five minutes to recognise someone who is changing lives through careers and skills.