By Cank Media
The Northern Uganda Music Awards (NUMA) is set to enter a new digital era with plans to launch a dedicated application that will bring its activities onto an independent digital platform.
The development comes nearly 24 years after NUMA began recognizing musicians, creatives and the wider support system behind Northern Uganda’s music industry.
According to information available to Cank Media News, the new application is expected to support NUMA’s activities as the awards continue to evolve with changing technology and the growing demands of the creative industry.
A New Management Era
The digital transformation comes during a period of structural change within NUMA.
In 2024, NUMA CEO Mr. Juma Okot brought in new faces to strengthen the management of the organisation and its board and committee structures.
The leadership team includes legendary artist Tempra Omona as Chairperson, Obol Simpleman as Vice Chairperson and Cankara David as Secretary, alongside other individuals with experience within Northern Uganda’s creative industry.
The new leadership has been tasked with helping shape the future direction of the awards and strengthening the systems behind one of Northern Uganda’s longest-running music award platforms.
Can the New Team Change NUMA’s Story?
NUMA has faced criticism and complaints over different editions of the awards, particularly around nominations, judging and representation.
However, information cited by Cank Media indicates that participants in the 2024 and 2025 editions expressed a significantly higher level of satisfaction with the final judging process, with 87% reportedly content with the final judgment.
The question now is whether the changes in leadership, combined with the planned digital platform, can further improve transparency, participation and confidence in the awards.
The Four Sub-Regions Challenge
One of the biggest assignments facing the current NUMA leadership is ensuring that the awards genuinely bring together the four major sub-regions of Northern Uganda: Acholi, Lango, West Nile and Karamoja.
Over the years, concerns have been raised by some stakeholders about the representation of the different sub-regions, including claims that Acholi has had greater visibility within NUMA.
The new leadership has an opportunity to address those concerns by creating systems that allow artists and creative professionals from across the four sub-regions to participate more actively.
Whether Tempra Omona and his team can change that narrative will be one of the major issues to watch as NUMA enters its next chapter.
NUMA 2026: Who Will Be Nominated?
The Northern Uganda Music Awards are held annually on January 1, bringing together artists and stakeholders to celebrate achievements within the region’s music industry.
With the next edition approaching, artists and fans are already beginning to ask:
Who will dominate the categories?
And will the new NUMA digital platform change how fans and artists participate in the awards?
The nomination link is expected to be released soon.
For artists, producers, promoters, DJs, music managers and other stakeholders in Northern Uganda’s creative industry, the next NUMA edition could mark an important step in the evolution of the region’s music awards system.
Do you already have your overall artist of the year in mind?
Follow NUMA Awards
Stay updated with announcements, nominations, events and other developments from the Northern Uganda Music Awards (NUMA) through their official platforms:
- Website: Northern Uganda Music Awards Official Website
- TikTok: @numa.awards
- Instagram: @numa_awards_uganda
- X (Twitter): @Numa_Awards
- Facebook: NUMA Awards on Facebook
- YouTube: NUMA Awards Uganda on YouTube
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