Communications regulator, UCC has flagged off a group of 12 Ugandan film actors and actresses whose films were nominated in the forthcoming African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
The 6th Edition of the Awards is due to take place on 1st September, 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The prestigious Awards are held annually and are organized by Multichoice (DSTV) to recognise outstanding achievement in television and film on the continent.
Among Ugandan names that will be looking to scoop an Award is songstress Cindy for her role in ‘Bella The Movie’ in the Category of Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series).
Others are Mathew and Eleanor Nabwiso who were nominated in the Category of Best Movie East Africa for their role in their movie, ‘Rain’.
Samuel Kizito Saviour, Agaba Joan, Rushabiro Raymond, Mulindwa Richard and Andrew Ahuura are also nominated.
On Thursday, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Eng Godfrey Mutabazi flagged off the team and wished them luck. UCC has been at the fore of supporting the film industry in Uganda through its annual Uganda Film Festival initiative which recognizes outstanding locally produced films.
Speaking at the event to launch the 6th edition of the Uganda Film Festival at the UCC headquarters in Bugolobi, Mutabazi said that the Commission believes that the film industry can significantly transform the country’s economy as has been the case in Nigeria by Nollywood.
“Nigerians are proud of their film industry and it has boosted their economy. We want to ensure that we create the best environment so that our economy is driven by your industry,” Mutabazi told the actors and actresses who were present.
“There is no way we shall let it die. We want to create our own identity through film,” he said.
Each of the 12 individuals traveling to Nigeria were handed USD 200 (Shs 740,000) by Mutabazi as a token of appreciation. He said more is yet to come.
He revealed plans to establish a Fund meant to further support film makers in Uganda.
On her part, Julianne Mweheire, the Director Industry Affairs and Content at UCC said the Uganda Film Festival seeks to promote local content, increase national identity and tourism, as well as promote business linkages.
Since its inception, said Julianne, the Festival has enabled about 500 film makers to attain training in sound, lighting, marketing and distribution of films. A number of Ugandan films have also been showcased at major film festivals in France, Germany and in other countries in Africa.
“It has aroused national interest in locally produced films. Over 100 feature films have been showed by local TVs,” Julianne said.
Mathew Nabwiso is the only Ugandan who has ever scooped an award in the AMVCA. In 2013 he won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama beating big names in the African Movie industry like Osita Iheme, Kalu IKeagwu, Fabian Adeoye and Thomas Gumede.