Uganda’s film industry is taking centre stage as nationwide screenings for the 13th edition of the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) get underway, giving audiences an opportunity to experience homegrown productions on the big screen.
The festival, organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in partnership with MultiChoice Uganda, brings together filmmakers, storytellers and audiences in a celebration of Uganda’s growing film industry.
The current screenings feature films nominated in the Viewers’ Choice category, an award determined through public voting. The winning production will be announced at the Uganda Film Festival Awards Gala on August 28, 2026.
More than 50 Ugandan films are being screened at selected cinemas, showcasing stories drawn from the country’s diverse communities and experiences.
The screenings are taking place at Century Cinemax outlets at Acacia Mall, Arena Mall and Metroplex Mall in Naalya, as well as EMT Cinema and NuMax Cinema in Entebbe.
Among the films on the programme are Adui, You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye, Longing to Belong, Waka Waka and Maama Wange, among others.
Beyond the screenings, the festival is also investing in skills development through a three-day Screenwriting Masterclass being held at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology (UICT) in Nakawa.
The masterclass, facilitated by trainers from the Screen Writers Guild Uganda, is focusing on technical skills, content distribution and the commercialisation of local audio-visual productions.
The initiative builds on a series of regional competitions and capacity-building workshops conducted earlier this year by UCC and MultiChoice Uganda in Soroti, Luwero, Arua and Hoima.
The regional programme was designed to identify emerging filmmakers, develop local talent and ensure that stories from different parts of Uganda have a place in the national film industry.
Hassan Saleh, CEO of MultiChoice Uganda, said the company was proud to support the festival and provide audiences with greater access to local productions.
“We are incredibly proud to facilitate these screenings and bring the very best of Ugandan cinema directly to our communities on the big screen. Ugandan filmmakers are telling stories that audiences genuinely connect with, and these screenings give the public a chance to experience that work live in the cinemas,” Saleh said.
He said the festival also provides an opportunity to celebrate Ugandan identity while strengthening the skills of local filmmakers.
“This festival is a celebration of Ugandan identity, a tool for industry skilling through our workshops, and a critical stepping stone toward global visibility for our storytellers. We invite all Ugandans to flood the cinemas this week and support our local creators,” he said.
Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of UCC, described the Uganda Film Festival as a key platform for strengthening the country’s audio-visual sector.
“The Uganda Film Festival remains our premier vehicle for driving growth, professional excellence and regulatory support in the audio-visual sector,” Thembo said.
He said the regional competitions and workshops held earlier in the year had helped identify and nurture filmmaking talent across the country.
“Through our strategic partnership with MultiChoice Uganda, the regional competitions held in March and April helped identify and develop filmmaking talent across the country, while the current cinema screenings are giving these stories a wider platform and contributing to the growth of a sustainable, nationwide creative economy,” he said.
Thembo added that the ongoing masterclasses are intended to equip filmmakers with the technical and commercial skills needed to compete in international markets.
“The ongoing masterclasses are equipping our filmmakers with the technical and commercial tools required to scale globally and we look forward to honoring their growth at the Awards Gala,” he said.
The Uganda Film Festival screenings will run until August 28, when the festival will culminate in the Awards Gala. The public is encouraged to attend the screenings and participate in voting for the Viewers’ Choice Award.
