"She Loves Me" wins best play at inaugural ITI Awards

She Loves Me, a 2024 theatrical production directed by Aganza Kisaka, was named Best Play at the first edition of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) Awards, held at the National Theatre on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The production ran for 11 shows starting July 19, 2024, as part of celebrations marking three years since the establishment of Yenze Conservatoire, a theatrical production organization founded by Kisaka.

The award ceremony was among the activities held as Ugandan theatre lovers joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Theatre Day 2026.

Winners were announced following a two-day online voting exercise that attracted 5,840 voters, who cast their ballots for their favorite actors and actresses from the 2024 and 2025 theatre seasons.

Tayo Shonubi was named Best Actress for her lead role in She Loves Me. She revealed that the role was the most challenging of her career but she endured the pressure to deliver her best performance.

The Best Actor award went to Male Ronald, a graduate of the Mariam Ndagire School of Performing Arts, who has featured in several local drama TV series, including productions aired on Bukedde TV. Upon receiving the award, Male expressed gratitude to Ndagire for training him and offering him opportunities.

“Thank you, Mariam, for your efforts. I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I am happy that I have achieved some of the things I wanted to do as a creative, and I am satisfied with my contribution to the growth of theatre in Uganda,” he said.

Aganza Kisaka took home the Best Director award for his work on She Loves Me, while the production also claimed Best Play for the 2024–2025 period.

Actress Brenda Ibarah of Tebere Arts Foundation received the Best Scriptwriter award. The Best Set Design award went to Kenneth Kanaabi, a former student of Yenze Conservatoire. Kanaabi shared that he chose to pursue art over the sciences because theatre had always been his dream.

Other winners included Guy Jairus Zziwa (Best Costume Designer) and Precious Nsimenta (Best Stage Manager).

Speaking at the ceremony, Aganza Kisaka, president of the ITI Uganda chapter, congratulated the winners and noted that the awards were established to boost the morale of creatives and help improve their standing locally, regionally, and internationally.

Jessica Kaahwa, president of the Executive Board at the International Theatre Institute, expressed satisfaction with the progress made under the new leadership of ITI Uganda. She said she had no regrets about appointing Kisaka to the role.

Veteran actor Abbey Mukiibi, who was invited to present some of the awards, remarked that he had last witnessed a similar initiative in 1993, when he was named Actor of the Year at the National Theatre.

Other activities held in celebration of World Theatre Day included a dialogue on copyright for theatre and film, a tribute to the late Esteri Tebandeke, as well as music, dance, and drama performances.