Four young Ugandan filmmakers have been selected to join the prestigious MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy East Africa in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone in their professional careers.
The filmmakers—Namulya Giovanni Yona, Asiimire Owobushoborozi, Denzel Everd Maniple and Mayiga Fredrick—travelled to Kenya on January 6, 2026, to begin a year-long intensive training programme designed to equip emerging creatives with advanced skills in filmmaking. The training covers storytelling, cinematography, editing, sound design, directing, producing, scriptwriting and production management.
MTF is regarded as one of Africa’s leading film and television incubation programmes, with graduates going on to produce content commissioned by major broadcasters across the continent. The inclusion of the Ugandan cohort places them among a growing pool of African storytellers shaping the region’s creative economy.
Namulya Giovanni Yona is a filmmaker and theatre practitioner with experience in sound design, directing, writing and producing. His portfolio includes acclaimed Ugandan audio dramas Her Dying Wish and Lagertha, where he served as editor, director and co-executive producer, as well as the short film The Weight of Passion, which he wrote and directed. He is a graduate of Makerere University’s School of Liberal and Performing Arts.
Asiimire Owobushoborozi joins the programme as a production designer with professional experience in set and costume design.
Her work focuses on visual storytelling, spatial composition and character-driven design. In addition to her design work, she develops original written projects exploring character and narrative structure. She previously worked as a Production Designer at Bliss 256 after graduating.
Denzel Everd Maniple brings a multidisciplinary background as a filmmaker, director, writer, actor and editor. He has worked across feature films, television series, short films and theatre productions. His credits include directing and executive producing the short film Let’s Eat! by Aretee Studios Ltd and serving as a Production Assistant on the television series Sanyu.
Completing the group is Mayiga Fredrick, whose background in journalism and mass communication informs his approach to structured and purposeful storytelling. A video editor and cinematographer with aspirations in producing and directing, Mayiga has worked in broadcast television and film production. His experience includes roles at Havas Hub, Sedesha Film Productions and Nation Media Group’s NTV, where he worked on Sweet Treats and Tufumbe.
Prior to travelling to Nairobi, the filmmakers underwent theoretical training in Kampala. The Nairobi phase marks the practical component of the programme, offering hands-on experience and exposure to industry-standard production environments.
Speaking on the importance of the programme, MultiChoice Uganda Public Relations and Communications Manager Rinaldi Jamugisa said MTF plays a key role in developing Africa’s creative sector.
“The MultiChoice Talent Factory goes beyond skills training. It is about building a sustainable pipeline of African storytellers who can compete globally while telling authentic local stories,” Jamugisa said.
He added that the continued selection of Ugandan filmmakers reflects the country’s growing potential in the creative industries, supported by access to professional mentorship, modern equipment and regional networks.
