Tuko Pamoja’s ‘Buganda Segment’ Wins Best Documentary at PIFF 2025

The TUKO PAMOJA – BUGANDA segment of the 13-part historical docuseries Tuko Pamoja has won the Best Documentary Film Award at the Pearl International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025, held at Bat Valley Theatre in Kampala.

Directed by Dr Cindy Evelyn Magara, a senior film lecturer at Makerere University, the segment triumphed over a highly competitive slate of submissions, cementing its place as one of Uganda’s most impactful documentary works of the year.

Festival Director judges hailed the film for its meticulous research, striking cinematography, and emotionally resonant exploration of Buganda’s history within the broader journey of Uganda’s ethnic unity.

The win follows the project’s earlier international success in Kolkata, India, where Uganda: The Making of a Nation—another segment of Tuko Pamoja—won Best Documentary (Foreign – Africa) at the Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI).

“A Twin-Win That Should Excite Ugandans”

Reflecting on the PIFF victory, director Dr Cindy Magara said the recognition comes with a deeper national message: “I think the twin-win at GIFFI and PIFF should excite local audiences to watch the film, the educators to put this significant film on their course outlines and the policy makers also to prioritise alternative sources of knowledge, especially our history and politics.”

She noted that Tuko Pamoja challenges Ugandans to rethink the relevance of pre-colonial governance systems: “Would we be wrong if we kept dynastic rule as it was in pre-colonial times, as opposed to ‘foreign’ democratic principles that are seemingly causing more bloodshed… simply because we have a semblance of ‘democratic’ leaders who behave like kings?”

On the Buganda segment’s win, she added: “Any segment would have won at PIFF, I reckon. Each is independent in its own right, and I shall endeavour to submit each to different festivals.”

Dr Magara also reflected on why the Indian jury connected with the film’s anti-colonial themes: “India, being a post-colonial state, would have appreciated the colonial narratives and quest for unity. Considering the infights between India and Pakistan, pondering pre-colonial unifying history is extremely relevant.”

On what global recognition means for African filmmakers: “Winning at GIFFI affirms that film is a universal language. A good story resonates universally… With digital technology, we market our Nyatiflix app and online platform internationally.”

 “Awards don’t cover the cost—but they prove artistic value”

Executive Producer Daniel Lukwago, an economist and director at Nonner Consults, said while awards do not offset production costs, they validate the creative importance of the project: “I don’t think the award in any way covers the cost of the film. But from an arts point of view, the film being appreciated at various festivals means it is a substantial artistic product.”

Lukwago confirmed he would greenlight the team’s next major project—an action series on Omukama Kabalega and Kabaka Mwanga, titled Conquer or Die: “Yes, of course. But films are long-term investments. We are still in the marketing phase of Tuko Pamoja… Once we fully commercialise the project, we shall see to commencement of the Conquer or Die series.”

“When we clicked, everything fell into place”

Award-winning musician and sound supervisor Tusiime Wilfred Romeo, a.k.a. Akiiki Romeo, celebrated the team effort behind the film’s acclaimed sound: “I feel honoured to have contributed to the production, especially the audio. I worked with other musicians who were very prolific… It was teamwork.”

On the defining moment in the sound design process, he said: “It was a constant process punctuated by reviews and revisions with the director. What put the icing on the cake was when I understood exactly what the director wanted in her mind. When we clicked, everything fell into place.”

“A Humbling Moment”

Writer, researcher, and assistant director Rogers Atukunda said the dual wins in Kampala and Kolkata affirm the film’s mission: “This dual recognition—local and international—validates our core mission: to revisit our history, challenge colonial narratives, and inspire a deeper sense of shared African identity and national cohesion.”

He expressed gratitude to the historians, cultural leaders, and communities who entrusted the team with their stories. “Only we, Africans, can be the custodians of our own stories. We are grateful to our griots who entrusted us with their heritage.”

Tuko Pamoja—a Swahili phrase meaning “We Are One”—is a sweeping 13-part docuseries examining Uganda’s ethnic diversity and shared history before colonial intrusion.

The series is now streaming online. Watch the award-winning documentary here: stream.nyatimotionpictures.com.