A free public screening of the documentary Back to the Source: The Nile was held at Katanga Mukasawe, in an initiative led by Derrick Ssenyonyi of Linck Visuals Media Ltd, in partnership with Hope for Katanga Kids Foundation.
The community-focused event was open to all residents, who were also treated to free meals. To ensure inclusivity, the film was translated into Luganda through a live interpretation by renowned Video Jockey, VJ Ulio.
The screening attracted over 500 attendees, including residents of all ages, community and religious leaders, heads of local organisations and homes, law enforcement officers, local government representatives, and members of the media.
Back to the Source: The Nile originated from a conversation in 2024 between Ambassador Judyth Nsababera, Uganda’s Consul General to the People’s Republic of China based in Guangzhou, and Director Derrick Ssenyonyi.
The Ambassador proposed a bold idea, to promote Uganda to Chinese audiences not through conventional tourism messaging, but through an authentic human story. That story became deeply personal.
Ambassador Nsababera revealed her lifelong fear of water, stemming from a near-drowning experience at the age of 15. The concept that followed was both simple and powerful, to document her journey back to the Source of the Nile to confront that fear on camera.
Production began in 2024, bringing together a team of cinematographers, drone operators, editors, local guides, and community partners. The film was shot across eight of Uganda’s iconic destinations, including Jinja (Source of the Nile), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kisoro, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Mbarara, Sipi Falls, and Kaynela Farms.
Covering over 2,000 kilometres, the production took months of planning, filming, and post-production.
The result is a 30-minute cinematic documentary that stands apart from traditional tourism content. Rather than a promotional campaign, it is a deeply human story, crafted to international film standards.
The documentary premiered globally in Guangzhou, China, in December 2025 during the Second Annual Silverback Christmas event. The premiere drew over 300 guests from more than 30 countries and was met with strong acclaim.
Within days, the film reached over 73 million viewers across Chinese digital platforms, an achievement that demonstrated the global appeal of Uganda’s story when told with authenticity and creative excellence.
The Uganda national premiere followed on April 25, 2026, at Méstil Hotel & Residences in Kampala. The sold-out gala attracted over 400 guests.
The event also featured the launch of Esther Nabaasa’s album Cry from the Valley and a performance by the Theatre Association of Uganda.
Organisers noted that Katanga is one of Kampala’s most vibrant and creative communities, yet it remains underserved in access to cultural programming and national storytelling platforms.
For over five years, Ssenyonyi has maintained a close working relationship with the community, engaging young people, nurturing talent, and building trust. This made the screening not just an event, but a meaningful homecoming.
“This is a deliberate act of inclusion,” organisers said. “A film that reached 73 million people in China and was watched by diplomats and leaders is now being shared with families in Katanga, for free, with a shared meal, and in their own language.”
The screening was not only about the film, but also a celebration of Katanga’s own creative talent. The event featured performances by local artists, musicians, and youth from within the community.
Organisers emphasised that the community was not just the audience, but an integral part of the experience, as performers, hosts, and storytellers.
“This is a core principle of the event,” they noted. “The community is the stage, the voice, and the story.”