Inspiring Excellence | Elevating Impact | Embracing Green!
ABOUT OUR GRAND EVENT
The VIGA Music Awards, established in 2007, is Uganda’s most prestigious platform for celebrating inspirational music and creatives. Over the years, the Awards has honored over 2,900 nominees and celebrated 500+ winners who exemplify exceptional talent, godliness, and a legacy of elevating higher standards. These Awards recognize not only individual' achievements but also the transformative power of creativity in shaping lives and inspiring societal change, making them a cornerstone of excellence in Uganda’s creative industry.
In 2025, the VIGA Awards is introducing the Green Civic Initiative, highlighting environmental consciousness and community sustainability as essential values for creatives. This initiative reflects the awards’ commitment to fostering societal transformation by encouraging artists to use their platforms to address environmental challenges and inspire positive change. Through this new focus, the VIGA Awards continue to champion holistic excellence, combining artistic brilliance with meaningful contributions to society and the planet.
- Culminates in a glamorous red-carpet Grand Finale that converges the crème de la crème of Uganda's gospel fraternity, diplomats, corporate leaders, civic dignitaries, business moguls, and other key entertainment industry stakeholders
- The VIGA Music Awards has a series of spinoff and collaborative events and activations that enrich its overall experience. These include Gospo Unplugged, NextGeM, & Gospo Kikadde.
- The VIGA Awards 2025 will feature four regional pre-award galas across the country, celebrating local talent and highlighting gospel brilliance, green civic impact, and cultural transformation. These events will culminate in a grand finale, uniting all regions in a nationwide celebration of holistic excellence.
MISSION
Organizing magnificent events that glorify God, honor creatives, elevate artistic excellence, and create lasting social impact.
PURPOSE
To inspire creatives to prioritize worshiping God, integrating faith and green civic responsibility into their artistic expression for holistic social impact.
METHODOLOGY OF NOMINATION AND WINNING
The VIGA Music Awards follows a rigorous, transparent, and Fan’ involving approach to ensure fairness and accuracy. We dedicate to maintaining the highest level of integrity and fairness throughout the entire process. Here’s how it works:
Nominations
• A Nominations Panel comprising VIGA Staff and key industry stakeholders drawn from FGAU, NCF and UNCC among others is instituted.
The panel receives the music, videos, and project’ submissions, uses a clear criterion to evaluate them and generate a nominees list of the top candidates in the respective categories. (More details are given at the submission portals of the respective categories of the awards).
Public Voting
• The nominees are then subjected to public voting through a transparent and fan driven online voting system. The voting progress is displayed at selected intervals to create ‘vibe’ and candidates are encouraged to mobilize their fans to participate and vote.
Announcing the Winner
• The winners are announced at regional and the grand finale awards galas. The nominees with the highest number of votes in each category become the winners.
• Vote integrity is ensured through a secure and reliable voting system, and results are displayed on giant screens at the events while announcing the winner.
WHY ATTEND OUR EVENT?
01.
CELEBRATE EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
Witness the recognition of Uganda’s top gospel artists and creatives in an inspiring celebration of excellence
02.
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON MERCHANDISE
Enjoy exclusive offers and discounted prices on branded merchandise available only at the VIGA activations.
03.
EXCLUSIVE EVENT PERKS
Attendees gain access to preferential rates for future events and exclusive VIGA experiences.
04.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with artists, industry leaders, and like-minded individuals in an uplifting environment.
05.
SHOWCASE REGIONAL DIVERSITY
Experience performances and cultural expressions from all four regions, highlighting Uganda’s artistic richness.
06.
BE PART OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL MOVEMENT
Support and celebrate the integration of gospel brilliance, green civic impact, and societal transformation.
THE ANNUAL AWARDS CALENDAR
The VIGA Music Awards is a comprehensive experience that extends beyond a single event. Throughout the year, it presents a range of spin-off events, activations, and collaborations that enhance its overall impact. Key annual highlights include:
NOMINATION SEASON (Dec-Feb)
A three-month process involving submission, evaluation, and classification of artists and their works in respective categories. This phase culminates in the Nominations Bash, where the season’s nominees are unveiled and subjected to public voting setting the stage for the ultimate celebration of music excellence. It also features the Gospel Arts & Allied Stakeholders Conference, a symposium on trending industry issues of the moment.
VOTING SEASON (Mar-April)
Voting is public and is carried out online and through SMS, with results displayed until two weeks to the final event. The Nominees & Sponsors’ Ball is an exclusive gig where the VIGA Music Awards Souvenir Magazine is launched and the respective Nominees are honored with their invitations to the Awards Gala, and all sponsors unveiled. It is a night of anticipation and excitement!
REGIONAL GALAS (April-May)
These are events where the regional winners receive their accolades, to celebrate and honor them in a special way in their respective region and communities and give the locals a feel of the red-carpet experience. They build-up to the Grand Finale Gala where the eventual regional winners are featured performers. They are testament to the rich musical diversity and excellence across the country.
THE GRAND FINALE (May)
The pinnacle of the VIGA Music Awards season, the premier event where music excellence meets celebration! It is a glamorous sumptuous feast and highlights surprise performances, special guest appearances, and unforgettable moments, a night that creates celebrities and attendance is by invite!
AWARDS CATEGORIES
Technical & Support Awards
- Song Writer
- Videographer
- Audio Producer
- Musician/Instrumentalist
- Dancer/Dance group
- DJ/VJ
- Press, Print & Visual media Category
- TV Category x4
- Radio Category x4
- Social media Category x4
- Promoter/Manager/Event Organizer)
- Special Gospel Icon (Church Leader) x4
- Special Gospel Icon (Civic Leader) x4
- Special Gospel Icon (Historic contributors)
Genre/Style Awards
- Choral Category x4
- Traditional/Folk pop Category x4
- Acapella Category
- Ugapop (Kadongo kamu, …)
- RnB-Jazz-Soul-Ctry Category
- Electro-Funkie (Techno, House, Rock) Category
- Reggae Category
- Urban Contemporary (Dancehall, Ragga, Hip-hop, & Rap) Category
- Afropop (Zouk, Kwaito, Soukous, Amapiano, Afrobeat, etc)
Special Merit & Cross border Awards
- Worship Song of the year
- Praise Song of the Year
- Artist of the Year
- Video of the year
- Dual/Band/Choir/Group of the year x4
- Junior Category
- Collaboration Song of the year
- Gospel Legends Award x4
- New/Upcoming Artist x4
- Female Artist of the Year x4
- Male Artist of the Year x4
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- Diaspora Category
- East African Category
- Rest of African Category
- International Category
- Special entity category (Secular Artists)
Green/Civic Responsibility Awards
- Eco-Stewardship Song (Environment and Climate Change)
- The ‘Pearl’ Pride Song (Tourism: Heritage, Wildlife, etc.)
- Patriotism-Civic Song (Good Governance & Citizen’ Obligation i.e., BUBU, Integrity, etc.)
- People Wellness Motivation Song (Health & Social-Economic Empowerment)
- Social Relations Song (Parental, Wedding/Kwanjula, Celebratory, etc.)
- Primary School’ Green/Civic/Patriotism Song
- High School Green/Patriotism/Civic Song
Regional Awards; these are given out at the regional galas in the 4 regions of Uganda i.e., Northern, Eastern, Western & Buganda)
- TV Category
- Radio Category
- Social media Category
- Gospel Promoter/Manager
- Choral song Category
- Traditional/Folk pop Song Category
- Gospel Legends Award
- New/Upcoming Artist
- Female Artist of the Year
- Male Artist of the Year
- Special gospel Icon (Clergy/Civic Leaders)
- Most Outstanding Church Civic/Eco-stewardship Act/Campaign of the year x5
- Primary School’ Green/Civic/Patriotism Song/Video of the Year
- High School Green/Civic/Patriotism Song/Video of the Year
- Social Impact/Green Civic Responsibility/Life Transforming Act/Campaign/Project of the year
- Civic Responsibility Champion of the Year i.e., Clergy, leaders, etc.
REGIONAL EVENTS SCHEDULE:
Artists must be selected from the regions outlined ; Northern, Eastern, Western, Central Uganda to ensure inclusivity and cultural diversity. Additionally, they should adhere to the stipulated schedules to guarantee smooth execution and efficient coordination of all activities.
REGIONS' SCOPE
From 4:00PM to 9:00PM
11-MAY 2025
CENTRAL REGION
Central Region artists should come from:
Kampala Metropolitan Sub-region: Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono.
Greater Masaka Sub-region: Masaka, Kalungu, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Rakai.
Greater Mpigi Sub-region: Mpigi, Gomba, Butambala, Kalangala.
Greater Luweero Sub-region: Luweero, Nakaseke, Nakasongola.
Greater Mubende Sub-region: Mubende, Kassanda, Kiboga, Mityana.
Buikwe Sub-region: Buikwe, Buvuma, Kayunga.
From 4:00PM to 9:00PM
21- APRIL 2025
EASTERN REGION
The Eastern Region artists should come from:
Bugisu Sub-region: Mbale, Sironko, Bududa, Manafwa, Bulambuli, and Namisindwa.
Busoga Sub-region: Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namayingo, Luuka, Buyende, Kaliro, and Busia.
Bukedi Sub-region: Tororo, Butaleja, Budaka, Kibuku, Pallisa, and Busia.
Teso Sub-region: Soroti, Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Serere, Kumi, Ngora, and Bukedea.
Sebei Sub-region: Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo.
Elgon Sub-region: Mbale, Bulambuli, Bududa, and others near Mount Elgon.
From 3:00 to 04:00
TEAM WORKSHOP
NORTHERN REGION
The Northern Region artists should come from:
Acholi Sub-region: Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Lamwo, and Omoro.
Lango Sub-region: Lira, Dokolo, Alebtong, Otuke, Oyam, Kole, and Apac.
West Nile Sub-region: Arua, Nebbi, Zombo, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Adjumani, Obongi, Terego, & Pakwach.
Karamoja Sub-region : Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Abim, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Napak, and Nabilatuk.
Madi Sub-region: Moyo and Adjumani (sometimes included under West Nile).
From 4:30 to 06:00
MARKETING THEORY
WESTERN REGION
The Western Region of artists should come from:
Ankole Sub-region: Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi, and Buhweju.
Kigezi Sub-region: Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, and Rubanda.
Bunyoro Sub-region: Hoima, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Kikuube, and Kagadi.
Rwenzori Sub-region: Kabarole, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, and Fort Portal city.
Become A Sponsor
Join forces with the VIGA Music Awards in celebrating music with a purpose and make a lasting impact! We offer customizable Brand Activation opportunities that align with your marketing objectives and budget, and you are welcome to choose from the options below. We look forward to a memorable experiences and a long-term partnership! Let us connect.
SPONSERS AND PARTNERS
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ANOUNCEMENTS
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GET IN TOUCH
CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
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EVENT VENUE :
Hollywood Banquet Hall , Riverside Building Area
LOCATION ADDRESS :
5214 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90027, USA