Kasule Douglas Benda
As I sat on the bus back to Kampala from Dar es Salaam, I turned around, looked at the team I had travelled with, and couldn’t help but smile with pride.
Pride because despite the challenges we faced on this journey, we stood together, carried the Ugandan flag with honour, and left a lasting impression at #ZIFF2026.
Throughout the festival, Team Uganda immersed itself in every opportunity available. We attended workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, networking sessions, and the awards ceremony. We were intentional about being visible, proudly wearing the Ugandan flag as scarves and throw-ons wherever we went. Everyone knew Uganda was present.
Our decision to travel by road from Kampala to Dar es Salaam became one of the stories of the festival. Many participants viewed our journey as a remarkable display of determination, resilience, and commitment. That spirit has already opened another door for us.
Professor Martin Mhando confirmed that our entire delegation of 19 filmmakers has been invited to attend the Mashariki Film Festival in Kigali, Rwanda this November on a fully sponsored trip covering transport and accommodation. All that remains is submitting our list and travel documents to begin the process of the Mobility fund.
Beyond the screenings, we built valuable relationships with filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals from across Africa and beyond. We look forward to seeing these connections grow into collaborations, exchange programmes, and future opportunities.
Then came the awards night, and Uganda truly shined.
We proudly brought home four prestigious awards:
1. Best Animation Film – LICE AND SHINE by Maria Byoma
2. Best East African Feature Film – SMALL GODS by Asher Rosen
3. Best Actor in an East African Film – Turinayo Jonathan (SMALL GODS)
4. Best Actress in an East African Film – Chimpanye Florence (SMALL GODS)
The celebration among Team Uganda was unforgettable.
We came determined. We competed. We conquered. We impressed.
And yes… we cooked!
The festival was also an opportunity to create. During our stay, we shot a short film which I had the privilege of co-directing with Justus Rukundo, featuring actress Suzan Adania, who joined us from Arua.
A heartfelt thank you to the Zanzibar International Film Festival organisers for your warm hospitality. We appreciate the experience and look forward to welcoming you to Uganda in the future.
Special appreciation goes to Mr. Leonard Amanya. Despite your demanding schedule as a festival juror, you still found time to visit us at our hotel and encourage the team. Your gesture meant a great deal.
To the organisers of this journey, Film Impact Movement, thank you for believing in Ugandan filmmakers and making this initiative possible through every challenge. I sincerely hope you receive the financial support needed to continue creating these life-changing opportunities for filmmakers especially young ones. All the hardships you faced during this trip were related to lack of enough funds to make the experience smoother. Regardless, we went and returned home in one piece.
Watching emerging filmmakers like Rajab Lubega, whose film was nominated, access an international platform was inspiring. Seeing filmmakers such as Hatika Namyalo and Beckmas Ssekiziyivu confidently engage in panel discussions alongside established international film professionals filled me with immense pride.
Finally, to my fellow Ugandan filmmakers, I wish you could hear what people outside Uganda say about our industry. Many admire what we have built and especially appreciate the support provided by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Uganda Film Festival, the Regional Film Competitions, and the Content Development Support Programme. These initiatives are creating opportunities that many filmmakers across the region genuinely wish they had.
Let us continue telling our stories, supporting one another, and proudly flying the Ugandan flag wherever cinema takes us.
Thank you for reading.
It’s me, Kasule Douglas Benda, reporting for #MakingUgFilmsFamous.
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post!
Written by
I’m a professional performing artist, an acting coach, film director, actors’ agent and more.
Did this story move you? Every gift goes directly to Kasule Douglas Benda — writers on Muwado earn from reader appreciation, not algorithms. Even $1 makes a difference.
Muwado weekly chart
Get Africa’s top 10 stories every Thursday
No account needed — just your email.
Want to follow Kasule Douglas Benda and get notified every time they publish?
Create a free Muwado account →