The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is this evening hosting the Awards Gala for the 13th Uganda Film Festival (UFF), bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, technical professionals, industry partners and audiences to celebrate excellence in Ugandan cinema.Held under the theme “Transformation: The Power of Local Stories,” the gala is the culmination of a festival programme that ran from 21 to 28 August 2026. This year’s edition featured nationwide cinema screenings, technical workshops, a screenwriting masterclass, industry engagement and regional film competitions designed to identify, strengthen and showcase talent from across Uganda.
UCC received 299 local film submissions for the 2025/26 cycle. At tonight’s gala, outstanding achievement will be recognised across 29 technical award categories, alongside two special achievement honours. The awards celebrate the full range of professionals who make film possible, from writers, directors, producers and performers to cinematographers, editors, sound professionals, designers and technicians.Film as a Driver of National DevelopmentUCC established the Uganda Film Festival in 2013 to promote a viable local film industry capable of thriving at home and competing internationally. Thirteen editions later, the festival continues to provide a national platform for showcasing Ugandan stories, improving professional standards, strengthening industry networks and widening access to markets and audiences.Under the Uganda Communications Act, UCC regulates broadcasting and audiovisual content, promotes local content and supports the development of Uganda’s communications sector.
Film is central to this mandate as it preserves culture and language, informs and entertains society, shapes national identity and creates opportunities for employment and enterprise.“Our ambition is not only to see more Ugandan films produced, but to build a complete creative economy in which original stories are protected, professionally made, widely distributed and commercially successful. When we invest in storytellers, we invest in Uganda’s identity, jobs and global visibility,” said Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of UCC.From Creative Talent to Sustainable BusinessThe Commission is encouraging filmmakers to treat creativity and commerce as complementary. Sustainable productions require strong scripts and technical quality, but also business plans, distribution strategies, sound contracts, licensing arrangements and effective intellectual property protection.UCC also recognises technology as a major opportunity for the sector. Affordable production tools, digital distribution, streaming platforms, cloud-based workflows and emerging technologies can help Ugandan creators reach wider audiences.
These tools must be matched by professionalism, ethics, business capability and storytelling that remains authentically Ugandan.Piracy, however, continues to undermine investment and livelihoods across the creative value chain. UCC calls on audiences to watch and pay for content through legitimate channels and encourages creators to understand, protect and commercialise their intellectual property.Partnerships Supporting Ugandan CinemaUCC appreciates the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for its leadership and support; MultiChoice Uganda for its partnership; Century Cinemax, NuMax Cinema and EMT Cinema for supporting this year’s screenings; and the filmmakers, trainers, audiences and industry associations that contributed to the festival.
The Commission also commends the 2026 jury, chaired by Philip Luswata and comprising Loukman Ali, Kuadzi Mawuko of Ghana and Hatibu Madudu of Tanzania, for its diligence, independence and professional service.About the Uganda Film FestivalThe Uganda Film Festival is an annual UCC initiative that promotes the growth of Uganda’s film industry through training, industry forums, regional engagement, screenings and awards. It creates opportunities for filmmakers to improve their craft, showcase their work, build networks and participate in a stronger local audiovisual economy.
