Uganda’s film industry is in the spotlight after the nomination list for the 13th Uganda Film Festival (UFF) was released, bringing together filmmakers, actors and productions competing for recognition across dozens of categories.
The nomination list, released on 17 April 2026, features a wide range of Ugandan productions competing for honours across feature films, acting, technical production, television, documentaries, short films, student productions and other special categories.
Organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the annual festival provides a platform for recognising creativity and excellence within Uganda’s growing film and television industry.
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A competitive year for Ugandan film
The 2026 nominations show the increasing diversity of stories being produced by Ugandan filmmakers.
Among the feature films receiving nominations are Adui, You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye, Longing to Belong, Maama Wange, Waka Waka, Small Gods and The Unforgivable, with several productions appearing in multiple categories.
The acting categories also feature a mixture of established performers and emerging talent, highlighting the depth of Uganda’s acting industry.
Feature Film Categories
Among the most frequently appearing titles are Adui, You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye, Small Gods, Maama Wange, Waka Waka and Longing to Belong, which feature across several competitive categories.
Best Feature Film
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
Best Viewer’s Choice
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
Best Director
- Drake Makanga – You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Ayeny T Steve – Adui
- Mariam Ndagire Kizito – Longing to Belong
- Masadde Isaa Yusuf – Maama Wange
- Ssentongo Marvin Rain – Waka Waka
Best Screenplay
- Small Gods
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- The Unforgivable
- Maama Wange
- Adui
Acting Categories
Best Actor
- Fidel Sankara – You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Michael Wawuyo Jr – The Unforgivable
- Mushikoma Daniel Papa – At the Verge
- Olot Bonny Olem – Adui
- Turinayo Jothan – Small Gods
Best Actress
- Mbabazi Catherine Uwera – You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Jackline Katusiime – The Unforgivable
- Irene Enyegu – Lost and Found
- Nakakeeto Immaculate – Wrong Number
- Chimpaye Florence – Small Gods
Best Supporting Actor
- Allan Kutos Katongole – You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Mutumba Henry – Waka Waka
- Obita Vincent Tyson – Adui
- Tom Ongom – When Power Turns
- Biziman Hussein – Small Gods
Best Supporting Actress
- Hellen Lukoma – You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Nabakiibi Joanah Jojo – Maama Wange
- Annet Nandujja – Longing to Belong
- Namakula Hilda – Wrong Number
- Nakitende Hasifah – At the Verge
Best Rising Star
- Jovian Ann – Maama Wange
- Emily Yomcwiny – Adui
- Sanyu Millie Martha – Am Sorry Mama
- Turinayo Jonathan – Small Gods
Technical Categories
Best Cinematography
- At the Verge
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Waka Waka
Best Costume Design
- Small Gods
- Waka Waka
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Maama Wange
- Adui
Best Make-Up
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Maama Wange
- Small Gods
- Waka Waka
- The Unforgivable
Best Sound Design
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Adui
- Longing to Belong
- The Unforgivable
- Sledge
Best Original Soundtrack
- Small Gods
- Wrong Number
- Longing to Belong
- Sledge
- When Power Turns
Best Post-Production / Editing
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Waka Waka
- The Unforgivable
Best Production Design
- Adui
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Small Gods
Special Categories
Best Film in Indigenous Language
- Small Gods
- Adui
- Waka Waka
- Maama Wange
- When Power Turns
Best Regional Film
- Borrowed Womb – Eastern
- NO/NEEDA – Central
- Kabwondera – Western
- No Safe Place To Call Home – Northern
Best Animation
- Amara and the Spirit of Nyamagunda
- Queen Kitami
- Who Killed Captain Alex?
- Mother Tongue
- Nyota Force
Best East African Film
- Shiku – Kenya
- Bobo – Kenya
- Nana – Tanzania
- Peremende – Kenya
- Zahma – Kenya
Best International Film
- Safari – Kenya
- The First Man – UK
- In Other Words – Iran
- Nelson Mandela: The Man Behind the Legend – Russia
- My Father – Mauritius
Documentary, Short and Student Films
Best Local Documentary
- Wanawake
- Ekitiibwa Ky’Olubugo
- Becoming Her, Becoming Free
- Ajon – The Spirit of Teso
- The Blind Family
Best Local Short Film
- Infinity
- Mfuko The Duffle Bag
- Subliminal
- Twisted
- Last Taxi to Kawempe
Best Student Film
- Bond of Tera
- Shadows After Vows
- Mind Over Matter
- Unseen
- The Dream Killer
Television Categories
The competition extends beyond cinema, with several Ugandan television productions also receiving nominations.
Best TV Drama Series
- Damalie
- Loving Beyond
- Kavule Town
- Choices
- Ties That Bind Us
Best Actor – TV Series
- Derrick Bakka – Damalie
- Mugagga Tevin – Kavule Town
- Rukundo Kenny – Choices
- Herbert Kafrka – Choices
- Jjemba Musibe – Ties That Bind Us
Best Actress – TV Series
- Diana Kahunde – Choices
- Nakubulwa Clare Desire – Ties That Bind Us
- Nambusi Florence – Loving Beyond
- Mirembe Doreen – Damalie
- Cinderella Okuyo – Crossroads
Best Supporting Actor – TV Series
- Austin Jjemba Musoke – Damalie
- Isaac Mendez Kintu – Loving Beyond
- Yusuf Kaija Boxa – Choices
- Raymond Rushabiro – Ties That Bind Us
- Blair Koono – Kavule Town
Best Supporting Actress – TV Series
- Kunihira Carolyn – Ties That Bind Us
- Rukia Nalubega – Damalie
- Florence Iga – Loving Beyond
- Natulinda Blessed – Kavule Town
- Anna Marie Nantambi – Choices
A spotlight on Uganda’s creative industry
The 2026 nominations offer a glimpse into the breadth of Uganda’s film and television industry, from established productions and performers to emerging filmmakers and student creators.
With competition spread across feature films, television, documentaries, animation and technical categories, the 13th edition promises to be an important celebration of Uganda’s creative talent.
Which film, actor or television production is your favourite among this year’s nominees? Share your pick in the comments.
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written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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