Kolkata, India — Tuko Pamoja, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker and academic Dr Cindy Evelyn Magara, has clinched the “Best Documentary (Foreign) – Africa” award at the 5th Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI).
The honour, presented by the Dreamz Cultural Association, was conferred during a vibrant ceremony held on 15 November 2025 at Moulali Yuva Kendra in Kolkata, marking the festival’s fifth anniversary edition. The jury praised the documentary for “creating a milestone in society.”
The winning episode, Uganda: The Making of a Nation, forms part of the celebrated 13-part historical docuseries that examines Uganda’s ethnic bonds, shared struggles, and pre-colonial unity. The series was written by journalist Rogers Atukunda, who also served as researcher and assistant director.
Announcing the win ahead of her appearance at PIFF, Dr Magara expressed her appreciation:
“I am glad to announce the award for Best Documentary to ‘Uganda: The Making of a Nation’. Thank you to the Global Independent Film Festival India for this honour. Congrats to my crew and cast. To all the Pan-Africanists.”
Writer Rogers Atukunda also celebrated the milestone, calling it a testament to the global impact of African narratives: “This award is a profound honour. Tuko Pamoja was created to spotlight Africa’s untold—or rather distorted—history. Seeing it embraced internationally, especially in India, gives me hope for the power of storytelling to connect people everywhere.”
Tuko Pamoja—Swahili for “We Are One”—is a 13-part docuseries exploring Uganda’s ethnic diversity and the shared historical experiences that shaped the nation long before colonial rule. It highlights the interwoven identities of Uganda’s communities and their collective resistance to foreign invasion.
The project was executively produced by Dr Magara and her husband, economist Daniel Lukwago of Nonner Consults, with a soundtrack composed, produced, and sound-supervised by award-winning Ugandan musician and producer Tusiime Wilfred Romeo (Akiiki Romeo).
The award-winning segment examines the geopolitical and linguistic connections that shaped the Great Lakes region between 1870 and 1900, challenging colonial narratives while advancing a shared African identity. It was nominated in the Documentary (Foreign) – Other Continents category alongside entries from Spain, Australia, and Colombia.
GIFFI, organised by the Dreamz Cultural Association, is one of Asia’s leading platforms for independent cinema. The 2025 season featured screenings in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other cities, with over 200 competition categories covering documentaries, feature films, shorts, and web series.
