Kolkata, India — Uganda’s acclaimed historical docuseries ‘Tuko Pamoja’ has once again brought pride to the nation, with one of its segments — “Uganda: The Making of a Nation” — officially selected for the Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI) 2025.
The selection was confirmed in an official email from GIFFI to Nyati Motion Pictures, the film’s production company, congratulating the team and inviting them to participate in the 5th Season Award Ceremony set for November 15, 2025, in Kolkata, India.
Directed by Dr Cindy Evelyn Magara, a filmmaker and lecturer at Makerere University, and written by journalist Rogers Atukunda, ‘Tuko Pamoja’ — meaning “We Are One” in Swahili — is a 13-part docuseries that explores Uganda’s ethnic diversity and shared historical experiences before colonial rule. The film highlights the interconnectedness and solidarity among Uganda’s different communities and their collective resistance to foreign aggression.
“The theme of resistance against foreign aggressors is universal to all humanity,” said Dr Magara in an interview with SoftPower News. “Particularly for Indians, who were colonised by the brutal British imperial power, the story of Ugandans uniting to defend their homeland will resonate deeply.”
According to her, ‘Tuko Pamoja”s goal at the Global Independent Film Festival of India is to gain the attention of international distributors. “Film is meant to spark a conversation around its central theme. As such, all postcolonial states may be interested in the discourse about nationhood and resistance. This documentary will bring on on international stage Ugandan history.”
Dr Magara added that the film’s selection at GIFFI affirms the power of storytelling to transcend borders. “For the Tuko Pamoja team, this recognition is an attestation of the relevance of our theme. No matter the specificity of a story, a good film has universal appeal,” she said.
Atukunda, the film’s writer and assistant director, said the recognition was both humbling and inspiring: “It is a profound honour for ‘Tuko Pamoja’ to be an official selection at GIFFI 2025,” he said.
“We believe our film, which champions unity and challenges colonial narratives, will strike a chord with the people of India, who share a powerful history of their own national heroes and struggle for cohesion.”
A Celebration of Shared African History
‘Tuko Pamoja’ delves into the historical alliances and cultural ties among Uganda’s pre-colonial kingdoms — including Bunyoro-Kitara, Buganda, and others — to illustrate the deep-rooted unity that predates colonial borders.
The series’ segment “Making of a Nation” focuses on the period between 1870 and 1900, examining the geopolitical and linguistic connections that shaped modern Uganda and the Great Lakes region. Through interviews with historians, cultural leaders, and opinion-makers, the documentary encourages audiences to rethink colonial narratives and embrace a shared African identity.
The filmmakers describe the series as a call to rediscover “the bonds that make us one” and to inspire national development grounded in solidarity rather than division.
The “Uganda: The Making of a Nation” segment was nominated in Category 22: Documentary (Foreign) – Other Continents alongside films from Spain, Australia, and Colombia. An Official Certificate of Selection issued by the Dreamz Cultural Association, the organisers of the GIFFI Film Festival, applauds the ‘Tuko Pamoja’ team for their efforts “to make films and create milestones in our society.”
The Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI) is one of Asia’s leading platforms for independent cinema. It showcases a wide range of works, including feature films, documentaries, short films, and web series, providing a space for filmmakers from across the world to share their stories.
The 2025 edition — Season 5 — will feature screenings across multiple Indian cities, including Mumbai and Hyderabad, and will culminate in the awards ceremony on November 15. GIFFI recognises outstanding work across more than 200 categories, offering trophies, certificates, and, in some cases, cash prizes.
Ugandan Cinema Goes Global
The recognition of “Uganda: The Making of a Nation” marks another achievement for Ugandan cinema— blending history, cultural research, and cinematic storytelling to elevate Uganda’s film presence internationally.
“Our goal is to add Uganda’s voice to the global buffet of stories,” said Dr Magara. “This documentary shows that African history, when told authentically, resonates far beyond our borders.”
The “Bunyoro Segment” featuring Cwa 11 Kabaleega, Bunyoro Kingdom’s greatest Omukama (King), was nominated for “Best Documentary Film” at the 11th edition of the Uganda Film Festival in 2024.
The documentary’s soundtrack was composed and produced by Tusiime Wilfred Romeo, better known as Akiiki Romeo, an award-winning Ugandan musician and producer. He also served as the sound supervisor, overseeing all recording and mixing for the series.
The project was executively produced by Dr Magara and her husband, Daniel Lukwago, an economist, policy analyst, and director at Nonner Consults, a Kampala-based development consultancy firm.
