Over 40 companies, institutions, and individuals got special recognition after emerging top of their categories at the Service Excellence Awards, over the weekend. The third edition of the now annual award, took place at the Lemigo Hotel in Gishushu, to moderate fanfare. Organised by the East Africa Youth Development Agency, the awards gave special recognition to companies and individuals in sectors ranging from media, energy, hospitality, banking, tourism, to IT, among others. Satguru Tours and Travel won Best Travel Agency of the Year. Eugene Anangwe (right) was Best Male Twitter Personality of the Year. From the initial 12 competition categories at the award’s inception in 2016, and 18 categories at last year’s edition, this year pitted competitors in 40 different categories. The award gala kicked off with special recognition awards, and these went to Airtel-Tigo Korea Telecom, Rwanda Online, Ubumwe Hotel, and a handful of media personalities and social media influencers. Athan Tashobya from The New Times, Jackie Lumbasi of Royal FM, and Richard Kwizera, former Kigali Today journalist, were some of the media personalities that scooped a special recognition award, as well as the Jordan Foundation, a local NGO. Guests at the award gala. Guests at the award gala. However, organisers and the Event MC would have served the audience better by explaining the rationale for special recognition for each of the winners in this category. Also noteworthy was the huge leap in the number of competition categories (40, from the initial 12 in 2016). While one could see this as a sign of growth, it also runs the risk of watering down the award with noncore competition categories. Organisers have already intimated that they hope to introduce even more categories as the years go by, and as the need arises. Winners Service provider of the year KASHA Best Hub/Lab -Awesomity Lab Public Service Provider of the Year -RDB Best Travel Agency -Satguru Restaurant/ Coffee Shop -Question Coffee Best Innovation -Eazy Pay Best internet service provider -ISPA Courier Service Provider of The Year -DHL Best Airline -Rwandair Best Higher Learning Institution -UTB Bank of the Year -Equity Bank Best Insurance Company -Soras Best Tour Operator -Nziza Safaris Bar/Night club Fuchsia Best Online Shopping Platform -E-Guriro Best TV -TV1 Best Radio Station -Royal FM Retail Shop -Magasin Faruki Graphic Company of the Year -Smart Design Online Publishing Website -Umuseke.com Job Recruiting Agency of the Year -Job in Rwanda Energy Service Provider -REG Social Media Brand of the Year -TECNO Mobile Security Company of the Year -ISCO Hard Copy Magazine -Inzozi Magazine Printing Company of the Year -PAMACO Digital Marketing Agency of the Year -Kigali Vibe TV Channel Provider of the Year –Star Times Forex /Money Transfer Company of the Year -Unimoni Beverage Company of the Year -Skol Brewery Local Hotel of the Year -Ubumwe Fashion House of the year -INZUKI Design Consumer Product of the year -WINNAZ International Hotel of the Year -Marriot Hotel Petrol Station of the Year -ENGEN Local Transport Company of the Year -Volcano Twitter Personality Female: Fiona Kamikazi Twitter Personality Male: Eugene Anangwe editorial@newtimes.co.rw
