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.
Usama "Osam" Nyanzi Mukwaya is a Ugandan screenwriter, film director, producer, actor and former television host. He has received several accolades, including nominations for an Ama Award and three Amvca Awards.
Mariam Ndagire, is a Ugandan singer, entertainer, actress, playwright, film director, and film producer.
Maisha Film Lab is a Uganda-based non-profit training film initiative for emerging East African filmmakers and mentor ship programme for aspiring filmmakers and youth in Eastern Africa. It encompasses film production, screenwriting, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound recording, and acting.
In Just Hours is a Ugandan short drama film written and directed by Usama Mukwaya. Produced through the Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre under the Movie Furnace project, the movie won the best film in the competition's second season. It premiered in the Nile Diaspora International Film Festival and later screened at the Manya Human Rights Film Festival. It was also nominated in the 4th Pearl International Film Festival for best student film under the MNFPAC.
Bala Bala Sese is a Ugandan film directed by Lukyamuzi Bashir based upon a screenplay by Usama Mukwaya, starring Michael Kasaija, Natasha Sinayobye, Raymond Rushabiro, Ismael Ssesanga, Fiona Birungi, Ashraf Ssemwogerere and Ddungu Jabal. It's the director's, writer's and producers' debut feature film.
Tiktok is a 2015 Ugandan silent short film written and directed by Usama Mukwaya. The movie features single actor Patriq Nkakalukanyi as Sam. It is Usama's first film under his film company O Studios Entertainment and is his first film as a writer, director and producer. The film premiered at the inaugural Mashariki African Film Festival and received a nomination for best short film.
Alex Julius Kwesigabo, better known by his stage name Flex D'Paper, is a Ugandan rapper and songwriter born and raised in Kampala. Starting off his music career, Flex D'Paper was part of the high school rap group, The Rapaholix, which he started with friends, Dasper Cosine and later joined by Apass as an affiliate with whom the trio put out a mix tape, The Eviction Notice that included chart topping singles like "Burning", "Party Life" and "Follow Me" which topped countdowns in Uganda such as NTV and Sanyu FM. Flex D'Paper was part of the 2014 UG Cypher including the finest Ugandan rappers: Navio, Keko, Big Tril, Don MC, AirporTaxi rappers St. Nelly Sade, GNL Zamba, DJ Global, JB, The Mith, Ruyonga, and Atlas.
Laura Kahunde is a Ugandan performing artist and Reality T.V Show Host. She Hosts Our Perfect Wedding Uganda, a reality show that follows Ugandan couples from the wedding preparations to the actual wedding day events. She also currently plays Jussy on Kyaddala, a pan-African story told through the lives of university friends exploring sexual reproductive health, rights and challenges, among other social issues and; Catherine Musoke on Chapters series that shows on pearl Magic Prime. She portrayed the character Angella Byekwaso on the famous NTV Second Chance She is known to have starred in Mariam Ndagire's films Hearts in Pieces alongside Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga, Dear mum and most recently my husbands wife Where We Belong, and Dear Mum with Mariam Ndagire herself. She also starred in the Usama Mukwaya's Hello that won her the best actress in the 2011 MNFPAC students awards. She recently appeared in a Henry Ssali film Bullion with her sister Juliana Kanyomozi She is confirmed to work with Usama Mukwaya again on his upcoming film Love Faces alongside Moses Kiboneka Jr. and Patriq Nkakalukanyi and a Douglas Dubois Sebamala film Black Glove.
Love Faces is a Ugandan drama thriller film written and directed by Usama Mukwaya. It is Mukwaya's feature film directorial debut, and stars Laura Kahunde, Moses Kiboneka Jr., Patriq Nkakalukanyi and Salome Elizabeth in leading roles. The film had a special screening on 31 August 2017 at the Uganda Film Festival 2017. It had its official release on 4 January 2018.
Rehema is 2017 Ugandan film directed by Allan Manzi based upon a screenplay by Usama Mukwaya starring Juliet Zansaanze, Raymond Rushabiro and Ismael Ssesanga. The film premiered at the 38th Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. It held a special screening at the 4th Edition of the Euro-Uganda Film Festival on 17 June 2018 courtesy of the British Council.
Alex Ireeta Nabudere is a Ugandan Film editor and cinematographer.
Kyaddala is a Ugandan drama television series by Reach a Hand Uganda. The first season was produced by Emmanuel Ikubese Films and Reach a Hand Uganda. Set in a present day high school life, Kyaddala a Luganda word for "It's Real", focuses on real life social issues that affect young people across Africa and their attempts to overcome those issues. The series features actors and actresses from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria. Kyaddala premiered on 27 September 2019 at Kingdom Kampala.
Devil's Chest is a 2017 Ugandan war film about the Lord's Resistance Army insurgency in northern Uganda. It was written, produced and directed by Hassan Mageye and stars Hasifah Nande Nakitende and Samuel Rogers Masaaba in the lead roles. It premiered in Gulu in October 2017 and in Kampala in May 2019.
The Blind Date is a 2021 Ugandan film written and directed by Loukman Ali starring Martha Kay, Michael Wawuyo Jr. and Raymond Rushabiro. The short film marks the second collaboration between Usama Mukwaya and Loukman Ali after Kyaddala TV Series which was released in 2019. The Blind Date is the first of the numerous episodes meant to make an anthology, with the follow-up episode already in the making. The film won Best short film at the 8th Uganda Film Festival awards. It had its African premiere at the 24th Zanzibar International Film Festival.
The iKon Awards - Film & Television is an awarding programme that recognizes and rewards implementers and personalities in the Film and Television and Mainstream Media in Uganda and ultimately, Africa. Founded by Humphrey Nabimanya, the new annual initiative is now presented by SAUTIplus Media Hub.
Loukman Ali is a Ugandan director, cinematographer, screenwriter, producer and graphic designer.
Sixteen Rounds is a 2021 Ugandan film written and directed by Loukman Ali starring Michael Wawuyo Jr. and Natasha Sinayobye. The short film premiered on YouTube on September 16, 2021, and marks the second installment to The Blind Date, an anthology of short films between Usama Mukwaya and Loukman Ali. The film's soundtrack is designed by longtime collaborator, Andrew Ahuura and features songs by Keneth Mugabi and Fred Masagazi.
The Passenger is a 2023 Ugandan film directed by Hadijah Nakanjako and written by Meddy Sserwadda. The film stars Henry Nathan Katongole, Allen Musumba and Olot Bonny Elem in leading roles. Usama Mukwaya serves as the executive producer through O Studios Entertainment.
Hadijah Nakanjako is a Ugandan actress, film director and producer. She is best known for the Debut film The Passenger that won best indigenous film as the Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF). The film also received two nominations at Amvca Awards.
