Uganda Christian University (UCU) is a private church-founded university administered by the Church of Uganda. It was the first private University in Uganda to be awarded a charter by the Government of Uganda.
The emerging film industry in Uganda is known as Ugawood or sometimes Kinauganda by the locals. The 2005 production Feelings Struggle directed by Ashraf Ssemwogerere is credited with being the first Ugawood film. Many have asserted that this steadily growing film industry is derived from Hollywood, in the same manner as Nollywood and Bollywood. In a story that ran in a local newspaper in Uganda about the naming of the industry, filmmakers Kuddzu Isaac, Matt Bish and Usama Mukwaya were quoted as saying that Ugawood would be the most appropriate name for the industry.
Battle of the Souls is a 2007 supernatural Ugandan thriller directed by Matt Bish. It featured in the 28th African Film Festival of Verona (Italy). Dubbed the 'first' Ugawood feature film, it was also Matt's maiden film after returning home to Kampala in 2005 from film school in Amsterdam. He assembled a cast that made film history. It received 10 nominations at the 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards and eventually scooped the awards for Best Visual Effect and Best Supporting Actor.
State Research Bureau, also marketed as S.R.B., is a Ugandan action film directed by Matt Bish. It's a story based on Uganda's dark past and exposes the brutality of the President's secret intelligence police that ran safe houses.
Journey to Jamaa is a 2011 Ugandan short film and family drama based on the true story of two Ugandan AIDS orphans who go on an extraordinary journey and take with them a mysterious box on wheels. Sometimes called (Road to) Jamaa, it was directed by Michael Landon, Jr. and screenplay written by Brian Bird. It received 3 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
A Good Catholic Girl is a 2010 Ugandan short film about a Muslim girl's attraction to someone from a different religious affiliation. It was written, produced and directed by Matt Bish. Matthew Nabwiso won the Best Supporting actor award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for playing "Ahmed" in the film.
Matt Bish, also known as Matthew Bishanga, is a Ugandan filmmaker and the Creative Director at Bish Films. He directed the first Ugawood feature film, Battle of the Souls, in 2007.
Cinderella Sanyu is a Ugandan musician. She was one of the original members of Blu*3, along with Lilian Mbabazi and Jackie Chandiru. She has performed with P-Square, Wahu, Beenie Man, Ne-Yo, Tiwa savage, Bobi Wine, Shaggy, Chameleon, Bebe Cool, Davido, Mr. G and Radio & Weasel.
Housen Mushema is a Ugandan runway, commercial and editorial model, actor and fashion producer known for playing the lead role of Balikoowa in Balikoowa in the City, Sokke on The Hostel, Andrew on Second Chance, Ben Ssali on Power of Legacy, Ian on Mistakes Girls Do, Michael on Veronica's Wish, Anthony on Bed of Thorns in addition to roles on other shows and films, including November Tear, False Dreams and The Lukkas.
Cleopatra Koheirwe is a Ugandan actress, writer, singer, and media personality. She has garnered numerous roles on different film and television projects locally and internationally.
Maureen Nankya is a Ugandan actress who featured in Mariam Ndagire's maiden film Down This Road I Walk (2007) plus sitcom Tendo Sisters which was run on NTV Uganda, Bukedde TV and Maisha Magic. She is also a model, singer, TV presenter, fitness instructor and personal trainer at her startup called Mona Fitness.
Kyenvu is a 2018 Ugandan short film written, produced and directed by Kemiyondo Coutinho and starring still Kemiyondo Coutinho, Michael Wawuyo Jr. in lead roles and supported by Rehema Nanfuka, Joel Okuyo Atiku (MAN), Alex Bwanika (Man), Bash Luks (Passenger), Andrew Kiyegga, Yusuf Boxa Kaija and others. The film is Kemiyondo Coutinho’s directorial and production début and won the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF)’s Best Narrative Short Film.
The Bad Mexican is a 2017 Ugandan short comedy film written and directed by Loukman Ali. It stars Adnan Senkumba who plays Kenneth Senkumba. The film has dialogue in English, Luganda and Lugbara though captioned.
The Mercy of the Jungle is a 2018 internationally co-produced film from Rwandan director Joël Karekezi. It tells the story of two Rwandan soldiers separated from their military unit at the beginning of the Second Congo War and their struggle to survive in a hostile jungle environment amidst intense armed conflict.
Kony: Order from Above is a 2017 Ugandan war film directed by Steve T. Ayeny. It was initially reported as being the Ugandan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. However, it was later confirmed as not being selected as it could not meet the mandatory minimum requirements. It would have been Uganda's first-ever submission to the Oscars. It also received a nomination for Best Feature Film and Cinematography at the 2017 Uganda Film Festival Awards
Imbabazi: The Pardon is a 2013 Rwandan film, written and directed by Joël Karekezi in his feature film debut.
Bella is a Ugandan drama film directed by Matt Bish and stars Cinderella Sanyu in her debut film acting role as Bella. It also stars Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga, Matthew Nabwiso, Simon Base Kalema, Roger Mugisha, Stellah Nantumbwe, Joel Okuyo Atiku, Michael Wawuyo Jr. The film premiered at Victoria Hall, Kampala Serena Hotel in October 2017.
November Tear is a Ugandan film written and directed by Richard Nondo and stars Daphne Ampire, Joel Okuyo Atiku Prynce, Raymond Rushabiro, Cindy Sanyu and Housen Mushema. It premiered on August 11, 2019, at Century Cinema in Kampala.
Rain is a Ugandan 2016 drama film directed by Daniel Mugerwa, written by Mary Nyanzi and produced by Eleanor and Mathew Nabwiso. The film was released on 20 August 2016 in Kampala and stars Eleanor Nabwiso, Mathew Nabwiso, Joel Okuyo Atiku, Phillip Luswata and Joanita Bewulira. The film received numerous awards in Uganda and abroad and won Best Women’s Rights Film award at the London Eye International Festival, organised and run by London Film Network Ltd at the Terbanacle Theater in London, Best Actress in East African and Best First time Director from FESTICAB a film festival in Burundi, Best Film in Africa and Middle East award from NUREN film festival in China and Best Screenplay at Uganda Film Festival Awards in Uganda.
Morris Herbert Mugisha, commonly known as Morris Mugisha is a Ugandan actor, director, photographer, model and reality television star commonly known for representing Uganda to the third season of Big Brother Africa in 2008 and his debut directorial feature film Stain which received twelve at the Uganda Film Festival Awards, winning five and also won an award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2021.
