On June 7, the Uganda Communications Commission-supported Uganda Film Festival (UFF) will hold its annual cinema celebration. As is the norm, awards will be handed out to outstanding films in both technical and acting fields. This year, about 307 films were submitted, though less than a quarter of these walked away with nominations.
Approximately 50 films are spread across 25 categories, and unlike in past years when many filmmakers prioritized making films in English, a good number of films in the mix this year are in indigenous languages.
Three films—Eleanor Nabwiso’s Christmas Together, Nisha Kalema’s Makula, and Ibrahim Hammis Mayanja’s Omukululo—dominate most of the categories, such as acting, screenplay, and technical ones. Makula leads the nominations with 12, including Best Actress for Kalema.
The film follows an extensive yet secret ring of human and organ traffickers. Omukululo, with ten nominations, explores everything that could go wrong when the truth is kept under the rug. Other films in contention include Kevin Jones Nabukenya’s Soccer Heart and Jerry Ssesanga’s Lions of Buganda.
Since its inception in 2013, the festival aims to promote and showcase Ugandan films to both local and international audiences. This year’s festival theme is “Local Stories; Global Impact.”
Here’s a full list of the nominees
BEST FEATURE FILM
Soccer Heart by Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Christmas Together by Eleanor R. Nabwiso
Makula by Nisha Kalema
The Lions of Buganda by Jerry Sesanga
Omukuluto by Ibra Hamis Mayanja
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Sabotage – Mickydad Kaaku
Christmas Together –
Love Tragic – Kasesene Angella
Makula – Nantege Maureen Victoria
The Lions Of Buganda – Ali Musoke, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Omukululo – Mirembe Zurifath, Kyobe Sebbowa
The Lions Of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo
Christmas Together – Isiko Abubaker
Makula – Jose Arins
Soccer Heart – Kyobe Sebbowa
BEST ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM
Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge
Apologise – Isaac Mendez Kintu
Half Life – Edris Lubega
Sabotage – Jjemba Musoke Austin
Present Past – Ssekimpi John Mary
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Maid of Honour – Fauziah Nakiboneka
High Life – Mommo Nelson
Sabotage – Stella Nantumbwe
Christmas Together – Nakayo Veronica
Omukululo – Kansiime Sophie
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Ghetto Mama – Onyutta Brenda
1911 – Shemei Agabo
Summitting Mount Elgon 3d – Wogube Denard
Africa’s Race To 2040 Documentary – Vaccine Manufacturing – Serwanja Solomon
Tuko Pamoja: Omukama John Cwa II Kabaleega – Cindy Evelyn Magara
BEST REGIONAL FILM
Taama – Nsubuga Arthur
117 Shoes. Story of Generosity – Komakech Daniel
Cross Border Peace – Komakech Daniel
The Rock That Turned Into Butter – Frank Kabushega
Jobless Corner Series – Mwebaza Martin
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Offshoot – Nigeria
Oazi – Pakistan
The Crab Basket – Chile
Footprints On Water – United Kingdom
Return of the Jungle – India
BEST SHORT FILM
Ziwa by Samuel Tebandeke
The Last Shoemaker by Ali Musoke
9 Lives by Hadijah Nakanjako
Taama by Nsubuga Arthur
Getting To Know You by Patrick Lorimo
BEST EAST AFRICAN FILM
Visasi – Kenya Mvera – Kenya
The Midnight Bride – Tanzania
I’m Coming Home Abiro Dala – Kenya
The Fall of King Odongo – Kenya
BEST VIEWER’S CHOICE
Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Christmas Together – Eleanor R. Nabwiso
Makula – Nisha Kalema
The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga
Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja
BEST ANIMATION
The Guardian by Denis Junior Dhikusoka
Echoes Of Unseen by Wiber Akatuhurira
Kataleya by Denis Junior Dhikusoka
Gwanga Da Planter by Wiber Akatuhurira
Stuck In The Nest by Kiberu Siraje
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES
Kenny Rukundo – Damalie
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga – Sanyu
Symon Base Kalema – Prestige
Allan Kutos Katatongole – Sanyu
Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES
Ann Marrie Nattabi – Beloved
Cleopatra Koheirwe – Prestige
Namugengi Catherine – Sanyu
Doreen Mirembe – Damalie
Hajarah Nabukenya – Khosa
BEST TV SERIES
Juniors Drama Club (10C) – Allan Manzi
Sanyu – Mathew Nabwiso
Prestige – Nathan Magoola
Damalie – Doreen Mirembe
Khosa – Ivan Makai Mayatsa
BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
Makula – Nisha Kalema
Maria – Nana Kagga & Meme Kagga
Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja
The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga
Half Life – Richard Mulindwa
BEST STUDENT FILM
Malediction – Ssenyondo Marvin
Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere (Nersky)Nurudeen
The Chicken Thief – Enock Timothy Jjemba
Not my daughter – Lubeera Saphina
Hypochondriac – Emma Okello
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM
Twine Is Missing – Marijan Hussein
Sekukkulu – Bwanika Baale Felix
Fragile – Wasajja Hanigton
Maria – Muhmood Zamunyo
Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge
BEST ACTRESS IN FEATURE FILM
Omukululo – Joan Nabkilbi
Maria – Pelly Peninah Nampanga
Law Of Consequences – Monica Jacobs Birwinyo
Retaliation – Viola Kebirungi
Makulu – Nisha Kalema
BEST SCREENPLAY
My Love From Another Land – Kevin Johns Nabukenya, Anuand Pablo
Half Life – Mulindwa Richard, Agaba Joan
Christmas Together – Mary Nyanzi, Eleanor Nabwiso
Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Makula – Nisha Kalema
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Makula – Imran Musabbeh
Christmas Together – Imran Musabbeh
The Lions Of Buganda – Tumusiime Robert Quintes
Sabotage – Ritah Babirye
Omukuluto – Mutesi Mariam
BEST DIRECTOR
Omukululo – Charles Luzinda
Makula – Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha
Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso
Half-Life – Richard Mulindwa
Maria – Nana Kagga
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Lions of Buganda – Abdul kakande, Faysal Mukalazi
Makula – Alex Ireeta
Christmas Together – Izaek Ekuka
Omukululo – JB. Edit Ug
Half Life – Sserwadaa Shafic, Roy Chwintado
BEST POST-PRODUCTION/EDIT
Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari
Christmas Together – Paul Kimera and Kikaawa Wilson
Soccer Heart – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
The Lions of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo, MuhweziHerbert
Makula – Henry Matovu & Kizito Sudaisy Sebbow
BEST MAKE-UP
The Lions Of Buganda – Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, LatifahNabatanzi Rutaro Abell
Makula – Nakakande Cynthia
Half Life – Kabanywari Maggie
Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso, Bangi Solome
Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari
