The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has celebrated Uganda’s growing film industry at the 13th Uganda Film Festival (UFF) Awards Gala, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, technical professionals and other players in the creative sector.
The gala, held in Kampala on Friday, August 28, marked the climax of the week-long festival that ran from August 21 to 28 under the theme “Transformation: The Power of Local Stories.”
The festival featured nationwide cinema screenings, technical workshops, a screenwriting masterclass, industry engagements and regional film competitions aimed at identifying and developing filmmaking talent from across the country.
According to UCC, the 2025/26 cycle attracted 299 local film submissions, with outstanding filmmakers and industry professionals recognised across 29 technical award categories, alongside two special achievement honours.
UCC pushes local stories
Speaking at the event, UCC Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo said the Commission’s ambition goes beyond increasing the number of films produced in Uganda.
He said the goal is to build a complete creative economy where Ugandan stories are protected, professionally produced, distributed widely and turned into commercially successful products.
“When we invest in storytellers, we invest in Uganda’s identity, jobs and global visibility,” Nyombi Thembo said.
The Commission established the Uganda Film Festival in 2013 as part of efforts to promote a viable local film industry capable of competing both locally and internationally.
Thirteen editions later, UCC says the festival has become an important platform for showcasing Ugandan stories, improving professional standards, strengthening industry networks and connecting filmmakers to audiences and markets.
From filmmaking to business
UCC also used the festival to challenge filmmakers to look beyond creativity and embrace the commercial side of the industry.
The Commission said sustainable film productions require more than good scripts and technical quality. Filmmakers must also develop business plans, distribution strategies, sound contracts, licensing arrangements and strong intellectual property protection.
Technology was also highlighted as a major opportunity for Ugandan filmmakers.
UCC pointed to affordable production equipment, digital distribution, streaming platforms, cloud-based workflows and emerging technologies as tools that can help local creators reach audiences beyond Uganda.
However, the Commission warned that technology must be matched with professionalism, ethics, business skills and authentic Ugandan storytelling.
Piracy remains a threat
The Commission further raised concern over piracy, which it said continues to undermine investment and livelihoods across Uganda’s creative industry.
UCC called on audiences to consume and pay for local content through legitimate channels while encouraging filmmakers to understand, protect and commercialise their intellectual property.
The festival was supported by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, MultiChoice Uganda, Century Cinemax, NuMax Cinema and EMT Cinema, among other industry stakeholders.
The 2026 UFF jury was chaired by filmmaker and actor Philip Luswata, alongside Loukman Ali, Ghanaian filmmaker Kuadzi Mawuko and Tanzanian filmmaker Hatibu Madudu.
The Uganda Film Festival, which UCC established in 2013, continues to provide training, industry forums, regional engagements, screenings and awards aimed at strengthening Uganda’s audiovisual industry and creating opportunities for local filmmakers to grow their craft and access wider markets.
The 13th edition therefore comes at a time when Uganda’s film industry is increasingly being positioned not just as entertainment, but as a potential driver of jobs, culture, business and Uganda’s international identity.
