KAMPALA — Veteran actor, playwright, director and producer Andrew Benon Kibuuka was the biggest honouree at the Uganda Film Festival Awards Gala after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for a career spanning more than four decades in Uganda’s theatre and film industries.
Kibuuka, a co-founder of the historic Bakayimbira Drama Actors, was recognised for his contribution to Uganda’s performing arts and for helping shape an industry that has grown from largely stage-based productions into a broader film and television ecosystem.
The award was presented by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) during the gala, which celebrated filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, technicians and other practitioners across Uganda’s creative industry.
Among the night’s competitive award winners was ADUI, which emerged as one of the strongest productions, taking both Best Screenplay and Best Post-Production/Editing.
Ayeny T. Steve and Natasha Grace Gashumba won Best Screenplay for the film, while Okoth Peter and Alibet Joshua were recognised for Best Post-Production/Editing.
ADUI follows Lagum, a game ranger who becomes trapped in a dangerous chain of accusations after being blamed for the death of a notorious poacher’s son. As hostility grows in the village and he faces the dangers of the jungle, Lagum is forced to fight for his survival against Badan and his warriors.
The awards also recognised performances tackling some of Uganda’s social realities.
Michael Wawuyo Jr won Best Actor in a Feature Film for The Unforgivable, a drama that examines men’s participation in family planning and reproductive health while confronting the cultural and social pressures shaping decisions within Ugandan families.
Florence Mariserena took Best Actress in a Feature Film for Small Gods, which follows a struggling single mother and a charismatic street performer trying to escape poverty while entertaining international tourists.
Their lives take a difficult turn when an unexpected crisis threatens their ambitions, testing their resilience.
The Unforgivable also secured the Best Sound Designer award for Simon Agola.
In television, Diana Kahunde was named Best Actress in a TV Drama/Series for Choices, a drama about the daughter of a housemaid navigating privilege, belonging and love inside a wealthy household.
The series explores ambition, betrayal and the choices that can fracture relationships.
Derrick Baka won Best Actor in a TV Drama/Series for his role in Damalie, a series built around deception, family betrayal and power struggles within a medical empire.
The regional film category went to No/Nedda, which was named Best Regional Film for the Central Region.
Directed by Daug Mulumba, the short film examines the impact of malaria through performances by Cyrus Bugaba and Jemimah Nyiramugisha.
Documentary filmmaking received its own major recognition, with Mariam Ndagire Kizito winning Best Documentary Film for Ekitiibwa Kyo’Lubugo.
The award comes as Uganda’s documentary sector continues to provide an alternative form of storytelling, using real people, histories and social experiences to document a country changing rapidly around them.
In animation, Denis Junior Dhikusooka won Best Animation Film for Amara and the Spirit of Nyamagunda, an animated short combining African folklore, family devotion, bravery and cultural exploration.
The Best Short Film award went to Infinity, a musical production by the Nsimbi duo featuring GNL Zamba and Miriam Tamar.
The film explores spiritual awakening and African culture through a fusion of music and visual storytelling.
Behind the camera, the festival also rewarded the technical crafts that determine how audiences experience a film.
Roka Stars, Magoola Jotham and Tumusiime Robert Quintes won Best Production Design for Waka-Waka, while Elton Gyaza took Best Costume Design for You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye.
The awards also recognised the growing importance of corporate partnerships in Uganda’s film industry.
MultiChoice Uganda, a CANAL+ company, was named a Festival Champion for its partnership with the Uganda Film Festival and its contribution to creating platforms through which Ugandan stories and talent can reach wider audiences.
Opening the gala, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the festival had grown substantially since its launch in 2013, pointing to increased submissions, improving production quality and growing international recognition of Ugandan films.
“The Uganda Film Festival celebrates the talent, creativity and dedication of everyone contributing to Uganda’s film industry, from writers and directors to actors, technicians and audiences,” Thembo said.
He identified technology, audiences, piracy and business as key areas requiring attention if Uganda’s film industry is to become more competitive.
Thembo urged filmmakers to embrace smartphones, digital editing, streaming and artificial intelligence while maintaining professionalism and strong storytelling.
He also called on Ugandans to consume local content and pay for it, arguing that a film industry cannot survive on production alone.
