Ugandan audiences can now watch the acclaimed docuseries “Tuko Pamoja” on the Nyatiflix streaming platform, an initiative by Nyati Motion Pictures designed to showcase Ugandan and East African stories.
Nyatiflix is a streaming app/platform associated with Nyati Motion Pictures, a Ugandan film production company. It is being developed to host and distribute their content, particularly the acclaimed docuseries Tuko Pamoja (Swahili for “We Are One” or “We Are Together”).
Directed by Dr Cindy Evelyn Magara and written by journalist Rogers Atukunda, the 13-part series explores Uganda’s pre-colonial and post-colonial history, its diverse ethnic groups, and the shared cultural and political threads that bind the nation.
A Deep Dive Into Uganda’s Past
The docuseries traces Uganda’s historical landscape between 1870 and 1900, highlighting the lives and contributions of key figures such as Omukama Kabaleega of Bunyoro-Kitara, Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, Chief Awich of Payira, and Queen Muhumuza of Kigezi. It emphasises that Uganda’s people were interconnected long before colonial borders imposed divisions.
Segments cover:
Bunyoro-Kitara: Chronicles the rise of one of East Africa’s largest pre-colonial kingdoms under Omukama Kabaleega. Buganda: Examines the growth of Buganda from three counties to a major kingdom and its role during British colonisation. Busoga: Explores the evolution of Busoga as a gateway into Uganda, highlighting local heroes and cultural institutions.
Tooro: Follows the establishment of the Tooro Kingdom by Prince Kaboyo Kasusu Nkwanzi. Ankole/Nkore (Kaaro-Karungi): Discusses colonial misrepresentations and the historical connections with Bunyoro and Rwanda. The Luo (Acholi, Alur, Jopadhola): Documents resistance against European and Arab colonial forces and traces migration patterns across the Great Lakes region.
Kigezi, Ateker (Lango, Karamojong, Iteso), Lado Enclave (West Nile): Explores the social, political, and military contributions of these regions to Uganda’s history. Breakaway Kingdoms & Emerging States: Investigates smaller chiefdoms and states, their struggles for autonomy, and their significance in modern Uganda. Uganda: The Making of a Nation: Reflects on post-colonial integration, national identity, and ongoing efforts toward unity across ethnic and regional lines.
Research and Production
The series began as research in 2016 (focusing on figures like Omukama Kabalega and Kabaka Mwanga) and expanded to highlight contributions from communities across Uganda (e.g., Acholi, Tooro, West Nile, Kigezi). It integrates interviews with historians, cultural leaders, and local communities, providing an ethnographic lens into the country’s diverse past.
Dr Magara explained, “This film aims to foster cohesion since our pre-colonial history shows that ‘we are one’ (Tuko Pamoja). Our different tribes were geographical emblems that should continue to define, but not divide us.”
She stressed that understanding Uganda’s shared past can help reduce ethnic tensions and inspire national unity.
The first six segments premiered at the National Theatre between February 3 and March 23, 2024, with the remaining seven segments premiering at Ndere Cultural Centre from April 6 to June 1, 2024. Weekly screenings continued at Ham Cinemax (Wandegeya) and Makerere University Auditorium from February through June, followed by nationwide tours.
It premiered in communities where filming occurred, received wide media coverage (e.g., from UBC, NBS, Vision Group), and screened at Makerere University in May 2025.
Watch what you missed
For digital viewers and those who missed the premieres and countrywide screenings, Nyatiflix allows streaming of Tuko Pamoja in SD, HD, or UHD quality on smartphones, laptops, or smart TVs.
To watch:
- Go to stream.nyatimotionpictures.com.
- Log in or create an account and verify via email.
- Stream the series conveniently from any device.
Fans can join the Tuko Pamoja fanpage on WhatsApp for updates and discussions or subscribe to Nyati Motion Pictures’ YouTube channel to watch trailers and behind-the-scenes content.
Cultural and Regional Significance
The series not only revisits Uganda’s past but also connects it to contemporary East African challenges, such as governance, integration, democracy, and peacebuilding.
Dr Magara highlighted that the historical unity of Uganda’s peoples provides lessons for the East African Community and broader continental initiatives like the African Union, emphasising regional collaboration and conflict resolution.
By retracing the steps of Uganda’s pre-colonial heroes and chronicling the histories of various kingdoms and peoples, Tuko Pamoja offers viewers an in-depth understanding of how modern Uganda was formed, its cultural richness, and the ongoing quest for unity in diversity.
Nyatiflix app is positioned as a dedicated platform for Ugandan/East African stories, similar to how Netflix hosts global content but focuses on local narratives.
For more information, visit www.nyatimotionpictures.com, follow Nyati Motion Pictures on Facebook (@NyatiMotionpictures) and X (@NyatiMPictures), or subscribe to their YouTube channel for trailers and updates.