The Uganda Film Festival (UFF) 2026 has unveiled its official list of nominees, bringing together some of Uganda’s leading actors, filmmakers, television productions and emerging creative talent for this year’s awards.
The festival, organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), will run from August 21 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Transformation: The Power of Local Stories.”
The programme will feature film screenings, workshops and forums, culminating in the UFF Awards Gala.
Among the productions attracting significant attention in this year’s nominations is You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye, which features prominently across several categories, including Best Viewer’s Choice, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Make-Up, Best Post-Production/Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Actor in a Feature, Best Supporting Actor in a Feature and Best Actress in a Feature.
Other productions with multiple nominations include Adui, Maama Wange, Waka Waka, Small Gods, Longing to Belong, The Unforgivable, Damalie, Choices and Ties That Bind Us.
Best Viewer’s Choice
The nominees are:
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- The Unforgivable
- Longing to Belong
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
Best Original Soundtrack
- When Power Turns
- Wrong Number
- Longing to Belong
- Sledge
- Small Gods
Best Costume Design
- Small Gods
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
Best Cinematography
- At the Verge
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Waka Waka
Best Make-Up
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Maama Wange
- Waka Waka
- The Unforgivable
- Small Gods
Best Post-Production/Editing
- Adui
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Longing to Belong
- Waka Waka
- The Unforgivable
Best Film in Indigenous Language
- Small Gods
- Waka Waka
- Maama Wange
- When Power Turns
Best Regional Film
The regional category features:
- Borrowed Womb — Eastern Region
- No Need A Call — Central Region
- Kabwondera — Western Region
- No Safe Place to Call Home (Te Okono) — Northern Region
Best Screenplay
- Small Gods
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- The Unforgivable
- Maama Wange
- Adui
Best Director
- Drake Makanga — You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Mariam Ndagire Kizito — Longing to Belong
- Ssentongo Marvin Rain — Waka Waka
- Masadde Isaa Yusuf — Maama Wange
Best Feature Film
- Adui
- Waka Waka
- Longing to Belong
- Maama Wange
- You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Best Actress in a Feature
- Mbabazi Catherine Uwera — You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Jackline Katusiime — The Unforgivable
- Irene Enyegu — Lost and Found
- Nakakeeto Immaculate — Wrong Number
- Chimpaye Florence Mariserena — Small Gods
Best Actor in a Feature
- 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 Supporting Actress in a Feature
- Hellen Lukoma — You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye
- Nabakiibi Joana Jojo — Maama Wange
- Annet Nandujja — Longing to Belong
- Namakulula Hilda — Wrong Number
- Nakitende Hasifah — At the Verge
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature
- 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 Rising Star
- Katushabe Jovian Ann — Maama Wange
- Yomcwinya Emily — Adui
- Sanyu Millie Martha — At the Verge
- Turinayo Jonathan — Small Gods
Best Animation
- Amara and the Spirit of Nyamagunda
- Queen Kitami
- Who Killed Captain Alex?
- Mother Tongue
- Nyota Force
Best Local Documentary
- Wanawake
- Ektiibwa Ky’Olubugo
- Becoming Her, Becoming Free
- Ajon – The Spirit of Teso
- The Blind Family
Best East African Film
The East African category features films from Kenya and Tanzania, including:
- Shiku — Kenya
- Bobo — Kenya
- Nana — Tanzania
- Peremende — Kenya
- Zahma (The Struggle) — Kenya
Best International Film
The international category includes:
- Safari — Kenya
- Eugene O’Neill’s – The First Man — United Kingdom
- In Other Words — Iran
- Nelson Mandela: The Man Behind the Legend — Russian Federation
- My Father — Mauritius
Best Student Film
The nominees are:
- Bond of Tera
- Shadows After Vows
- Mind Over Matter
- Unseen
- The Dream Killer
Best TV Drama Series
Uganda’s television productions competing in the category include:
- Damalie
- Loving Beyond
- Kavule Town
- Choices
- Ties That Bind Us
Best Actor in TV Drama/Series
The nominees include:
- Derrik Bakka — Damalie
- Mugagga Tevin — Kavule Town
- Rukundo Kenny — Choices
- Herbert KafriKa — Choices
- Jjemba Musoke — Ties That Bind Us
Best Actress in TV Drama/Series
- Diana Kahunde — Choices
- Nakubulwa Clare Desire — Ties That Bind Us
- Nambusi Florence — Loving Beyond
- Mirembe Doreen — Damalie
- Cinderella Okuyo — Crossroads
Best Supporting Actor in TV Drama/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 in TV Drama/Series
- Kunihira Carolyn — Ties That Bind Us
- Rukia Nalubega — Damalie
- Florence Iga — Loving Beyond
- Natulinda Blessed — Kavule Town
- Anna Marie Nantambi — Choices
Nalubega’s nomination is particularly notable because she is a Makerere University Drama and Film student who has built an acting career alongside her studies. Her performance as Zabuli in Damalie earned her the nomination in a competitive category.
Best Local Short Film
- Infinity
- Mfuko the Duffle Bag
- Subliminal
- Twisted
- Last Taxi to Kawempe
Celebrating local stories
The breadth of the UFF 2026 nominations reflects the growing diversity of Uganda’s film and television industry, with categories recognising everything from feature films and television drama to animation, documentaries, student productions and indigenous-language films.
The inclusion of East African and international films also gives Ugandan filmmakers an opportunity to engage with productions from across the region and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Transformation: The Power of Local Stories,” places emphasis on the ability of Ugandan stories and filmmakers to influence culture, identity and society.
The festival will take place from August 21 to 28, with the awards gala forming the climax of the week-long celebration of Uganda’s film industry.
