Summit Margherita is a photograph of mountain climber Rhona Namanya standing against a natural frame of snow atop the Rwenzori Mountains’ highest peak.
The exhibition is open to the public until November 26.
“I pointed the camera and shot the scene. It was cold, we were getting damp, and on looking to the right we saw this tall rock-like ice formation. Rhona wanted a snow angel picture, but this is what we got.” Latim said.
The Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi architecture lecturer, added that he was gladly surprised by the win.
“Surreal. I wasn’t expecting it. I thought I’d be in the honoured mentions.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The photo caught the judge’s eye because the site where it was taken is threatened by climate change. According to experts the snow on the Rwenzoris, a Unesco World Heritage Site is melting at such a high rate that it could be gone in a decade.
“We salute it as an example of enterprising journalism, an image that not only captures the essence of the story but serves as a reminder that at its best, photography is not only a storytelling tool but also an art form.” Neo Ntsoma, one of the judges from South Africa said.
Latim won Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera kit and a backpack.
The Daily Life award went to Zahara Abdul for her photo Night Shift, of a security guard scrolling through his phone ahead of a long night’s work.
Musiime Muramura scooped the Nature category award for his photo Giraffe Translocation showing Uganda Wildlife Authority staff restraining a darted giraffe for translocation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Badru Katumba won the best News and Sports photo with his From Ghetto to Parliament and Reign of Giants .
Kyagulanyi Ssetamu Robert a.k.a. Bobi Wine was overwhelmingly voted as the member of parliament of Kyadondo East in central Uganda.
The second Young Photographer Award went to 22-year-old Stuart Tibaweswa who received a Canon EOS 1300D camera kit which he will use during a mentorship programme.
Gilbert Yoti emerged the winner in the creative category.
The winners were announced at a ceremony on October 26 held at The Square in Kampala, where the winners exhibition was launched.
