(L-R) Ramsey Nouah, Joe Kigozi – Reach A Hand Uganda Board Chair and Humphrey Nabimanya – Founder of the Ikon Awards during the ceremony
The second edition of the Ikon Film and Television Awards happened over the weekend at the Kampala Serena Hotel in an elegant black tie affair that saw the cream of Uganda’s creative industry dressed to the tee for the black carpet experience.
The Ikon Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) as a platform to recognise and celebrate innovation and creativity in Uganda’s film and television industry.
This year’s edition attracted 203 submissions that resulted in 26 wins including Polly Kamukama and Joseph Ken Ssebaggala’s Unheard taking home the award for Best Film, Patrick Lorimo’s Maid of Honour winning Best Screenplay, Hakim Zziwa’s Building 62 winning Best Short Film and Doreen Mirembe’s Damalie taking home the Best TV Series.
The Lifetime Achievement award was bestowed upon Michael Wawuyo Sr. – who was hailed for his consistent support for upcoming filmmakers throughout his decades of service to the industry.
The ceremony was attended by players in Uganda’s film and TV industry as well as the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development – Hon. Betty Amongi – who pledged the Government’s support for the creative industry because of its role in developing the nation.
She said, “His Excellency the President has given us a directive for this financial year to take to cabinet and enact the law, policy and regulatory framework to handle the issue of first intellectual property because we must protect your content from plagiarism. We are also here to support you to monetise your creativity. We are also looking at incentives for investment and tax rebates and are discussing how to identify the equipment that will be used in your sector to allow you to bring in quality equipment.”
The ceremony featured energetic performances from Coco Finger, Young Mulo, Bella, Vampino, Ziggy Dee and the Wembley dancers in a non-stop medley across four stages.
The ceremony was also attended by special guests from Nigeria’s film industry: Ramsey Nouah; Osite Iheme; Nancy Isime, Chris Odeh and Uche Ateli – who spent some time in the country before the main event conducting a series of masterclasses with young and aspiring filmmakers under the Ikon Awards Young Filmmakers Fellowship.
Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder of the Ikon Awards, said, “The Ikon Awards are a much-needed opportunity for us as players in the industry to come together, celebrate each others’ wins and network for the growth of the industry. I’d like to congratulate all the winners and also thank all the partners that have come on board to make this a resounding success. Thank you, all, and we’ll be back next year bigger and better.”
The Ikon Awards are supported by Sauti Plus Media Hub, UNESCO, Radiant, Uganda Airlines, Kampala Serena Hotel, Next Media, Divine Resort Mukono, Sozo Films, Coal360, ATS Events, Light For The world, Aquafina, Cinema UG, Uganda Key Populations Consortium, Media Challenge Initiative, Print Creations and Ramsey Films.
Below is the full list of winners:
Best Film
The Kitara Chronicles – Yiga Sadat, Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
The Passenger – Meddy Sserwada, Hadijah Nakanjako
Unheard – Polly Kamukama, Joseph Ken Ssebaggala (WINNER)
All for Love – Okurut Nego Paul
Best Director
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard (WINNER)
Hadijah Nakanjako – The Passenger
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Patrick Lorimo – Maid of Honor
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Fauziah Nakiboneka – Maid of Honor
Jackline Katusiime – Unheard (WINNER)
Rehema Mutesi – Ganyana
Tania Shakirah Kankindi – All for Love
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Kenneth Rukundo – All for Love
Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate
Henry Nathan Katongole – The Passenger (WINNER)
Masadde Isa Yusuf – The Kitara Chronicles
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Joseph Kahirimbanyi – Unheard
Mathew Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Blair Koono – Enkuba (WINNER)
Sulait Mulimira – Ganyana
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Edith Baganda – Maid of Honor
Allen Musumba – The Passenger (WINNER)
Diana Kahunde – All for Love
Florence Naiga – Ganyana
Best Director of Photography
The Fallen Advocate – Benson Kamau Muigai
The Passenger – Izaek Ekuka (WINNER)
Unheard – Kitsha Kyasi Joseph
The Kitara Chronicles – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
Best Screenplay
The Kitara Chronicles by Yiga Sadat, Masadde Isa Yusuf
The Passenger by Meddy Sserwada
Maid of Honor by Patrick Lorimo (WINNER)
Unheard by Polly Kamukama
Best Sound
Elly Musinguzi – Nkwanzi’s Slip
Simon Agola, Michael Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Isiko Abubaker – The Passenger
Kaz Kasozi – Unheard (WINNER)
Best Editor
Emma Daka Waira – The Passenger (WINNER)
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard
Derrick Taremwa – Enkuba
Okurut Nego Paul – All for Love
Best Costume Design
Nabanja Hikmah, Lukwago Paluku, Tumusiime Jackie – The Kitara Chronicles (WINNER)
Kyosiima Ginny – Unheard
Matilda Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Julian Kirabo, Ali Musinguzi, Isaac Kyakoonye, Patricia Nabirye – The Tale of Our Times
Best Makeup and Special Effects
Esther Nakaziba – Maid of Honor
Rose Lily Kebirungi – Unheard (WINNER)
Lisa Sonia, Shadia Nakaddu, Cathy Kyokunda, Joana Nabakiibi – The Tale of Our Times
Hikmah Nabbanja, Patience Nakibuka Shadia – The Kitara Chronicles
Best Production Design
Francis Byaruhanga – Unheard (WINNER)
Rutaro Abel – The Tale of Our Times
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Imran Musabeh – The Passenger
Best Visual Effects
Cruz Abdullah, Faisal Mukalazi, Patrick Chris Black – The Tale of Our Times
Tusingwire Alex – The Kitara Chronicles (WINNER)
Wavamuno Caeser, Suuna Abubakar – Enkuba
Best Short Film
Taama – Arthur Nsubuga
Ziwa – Samuel Tebandeke
Building 62 – Hakim Zziwa (WINNER)
The Last Shoemaker – Ali Musoke
Best Documentary
The Shadow Pandemic – Ssekandi Jimmy (WINNER)
The Land of Peace – Ali Kibirige, Herbert Jjuuko, James Twino
Dear Queen – Jamir Jamal Musenze
Best Animation Film
The Guardian – Denis Junior Dhikusooka
Herderboy – Raymond Malinga (WINNER)
Lost – Ashiraf Mulima
Best TV Series
Prestige – Nathan Magoola
Damalie – Doreen Mirembe (WINNER)
Beloved – Nathan Magoola
Best Actor in a TV Series
Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige
Dennis Kinani – Damalie
Symon Base Kalema – Prestige (WINNER)
Best Actress in a TV Series
Doreen Mirembe – Damalie (WINNER)
Sally Elizabeth Bwamimpeke – Prestige
Faith Kirabo – Beloved
Best Student Film
Find Me Online – Brian “Vons” Mukisa
I Sold Me Out – Lubeera Saphina
Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere Nurudeen
Silent Scream – Otim Gerald (WINNER)
Ikon Rising Star
Faith Kirabo
Joseph Kahirimbanyi
King Missy Ochola (WINNER)
Ikon Rising Star (Africa)
Nancy Isime
Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Wawuyo Sr.
Emerging Film Award
Unheard
African Ikon Award
Osita Iheme
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