KAMPALA, Uganda — Two young filmmakers from Uganda Christian University are making their mark on the country’s cinematic landscape after earning top honors at the 2025 Uganda Film Festival. Their wins highlight emerging talent in Uganda’s creative industry.
Brian Kabogozza, a current student, and Douglas Byaruhanga, an alumnus of UCU’s Journalism and Mass Communication program, received awards in competitive categories. Kabogozza won Best Student Film for his work “Dinner for Three,” while Byaruhanga, known by his stage name Big Doug, earned the Best Original Soundtrack award for the film “Fatal.”
The annual festival, organized by the Uganda Communications Commission, serves as the nation’s premier platform for recognizing excellence in film production, acting, directing and sound.
Kabogozza’s passion for filmmaking began in high school. “I started with simple short films and never looked back,” he said. “When I joined UCU, I took it more seriously and began directing my own productions.” His earlier short films, “My Degree,” “My Background” and “My First Year,” garnered nominations at the Ikon Awards in Uganda and the Malawi International Film Festival, with “My Background” also winning at the Student World Impact Film Festival in the United States.
Byaruhanga’s creative journey started as an actor in high school before he discovered his affinity for music and film production. His award-winning soundtrack for “Fatal” has been praised for its emotional depth and technical quality. “Music and film speak the same language to me,” Byaruhanga said. “The award is a result of many years of trying and learning.”
Geoffrey Ssenoga, a broadcasting instructor at the UCU School of Journalism, emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering talent through its facilities and evolving educational offerings, including its Online Distance Learning (ODeL) model and the UCU eLearning platform.
The success of Kabogozza and Byaruhanga underscores a growing trend of Ugandan creatives gaining local and international recognition despite limited resources. Experts believe platforms like the Uganda Film Festival are vital for nurturing talent and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers.
