Uganda Film Festival starts nationwide screenings

What the report says

The 13th Uganda Film Festival has begun nationwide screenings across Uganda, with events running this week ahead of the awards gala set for August 28, 2026, according to The Independent Uganda. The festival is being organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in partnership with MultiChoice Uganda and is presenting films nominated in the Viewers’ Choice category, which will be decided by public voting.

The screenings are taking place at several cinemas, including Century Cinemax branches at Acacia Mall, Arena Mall and Metroplex Mall in Naalya, as well as EMT Cinema and NuMax Cinema in Entebbe. The programme features more than 50 Ugandan films, including titles such as Adui, You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye, Longing to Belong, Waka Waka and Maama Wange. The public has been encouraged to attend screenings from August 21 to 28 and vote for the audience award.

Alongside the film showings, the festival is running a three-day screenwriting masterclass at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Nakawa. According to the report, the training is intended to strengthen local capacity in areas such as script development, distribution and monetisation of audio-visual content.

The newspaper also noted that regional competitions and workshops held earlier in the year in Soroti, Luwero, Arua and Hoima helped identify talent and broaden representation in the final selection. Festival organisers said the initiative is meant to support Ugandan filmmakers, promote local storytelling and strengthen the country’s creative industry.