NUMA Awards Kicks Off Edition 24, Unveils 39 Categories Ahead of December Nominations
By Cank Media News Desk | November 9, 2026
The Northern Uganda Music Awards (NUMA Awards) has officially kickstarted preparations for its 24th edition following a press conference held on Monday, November 9, 2026, marking another milestone in the awards’ journey since their establishment in 2002.
The press conference brought together members of the NUMA Awards Board Committee, which comprises 18 members tasked with overseeing the organisation and direction of the awards.
The committee is headed by legendary artist Tempra Omona, who serves as Chairperson, with Hon. Obol Justine Simpleman, popularly known as Simpleman, serving as Vice Chairperson. Cankara David, a media analyst, serves as the committee’s Secretary.
The launch signals the beginning of preparations for the 2026 edition, which continues NUMA Awards’ mission of recognising, celebrating and promoting musical talent and the wider creative industry across Northern Uganda and neighbouring regions.
39 Award Categories Unveiled
For the 2026 edition, NUMA Awards has outlined 39 award categories covering different musical genres, regional talent, entertainment professionals, emerging artists and outstanding contributions to the creative industry.
One of the major highlights is the continued regional representation, with categories recognising artists from Acholi, Lango, West Nile, Karamoja, South Sudan and Teso.
The awards also maintain a competitive structure through the Overall Artist of the Year and its runner-up category, alongside genre-specific and professional recognition awards.
Full List of NUMA Awards 2026 Categories
Overall and Regional Categories
- Overall Artist of the Year
- Overall Artist of the Year (Runner-Up)
- Male Artist of the Year – Acholi Region
- Female Artist of the Year – Acholi Region
- Male Artist of the Year – Lango Region
- Female Artist of the Year – Lango Region
- Male Artist of the Year – West Nile Region
- Female Artist of the Year – West Nile Region
- Male Artist of the Year – Karamoja Region
- Female Artist of the Year – Karamoja Region
- Male South Sudan Artist of the Year
- Female South Sudan Artist of the Year
- Male Teso Artist of the Year
- Female Teso Artist of the Year
Music Genre and Performance Categories
- Lakubukubu Song of the Year
- Dancehall Artist of the Year
- Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
- Gospel Artist of the Year
- Afrobeat Artist of the Year
- R&B Artist of the Year
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- Collabo of the Year
- New Artist of the Year
- Rumba Song of the Year
- Young Talent of the Year
- Dance Crew/Group of the Year
- Best Aguma Group of the Year
- Comedian of the Year
- DJ of the Year
- MC of the Year
- Most Consistent Artist
- Song of the Year
Industry and Special Recognition Categories
- Producer of the Year
- Content Creator of the Year
- Blogger of the Year
- Radio Personality of the Year
- Legendary Artist of the Year
- Special Recognition
- Special Recognition
Nominations Open December 1
According to the announced programme, nominations for NUMA Awards 2026 will officially open on December 1, 2026, and close on December 14, 2026.
The nomination window will provide an opportunity for artists and other eligible industry participants to seek recognition across the various categories.
With categories extending beyond music performances to include producers, DJs, comedians, MCs, bloggers, radio personalities and content creators, the awards continue to recognise the different players contributing to the growth of the entertainment industry.
A Regional Platform for Creative Recognition
Since its establishment in 2002, NUMA Awards has remained part of the conversation surrounding the recognition and development of Northern Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Its inclusion of regional categories provides a platform for talent from different geographical and cultural backgrounds to receive recognition beyond their immediate communities.
The inclusion of South Sudan and Teso categories also reflects a wider regional outlook, creating opportunities for cross-regional participation and appreciation of creative talent.
As the 2026 edition takes shape, attention will now turn to the nomination process, eligible nominees and the eventual recognition of outstanding performers and industry contributors.
With 39 categories on the table and nominations scheduled to begin in December, the countdown to NUMA Awards 2026 has officially started.
Cank Media will continue following developments surrounding NUMA Awards 2026.