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📽️ NEW VISION PEOPLE'S CHOICE FILM AWARDS 

Presented and edited by Joseph Kizza
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 8:00 PM 

And it's a wrap! Awards ceremony ends

Thank you for following along. And a huge congratulations to every nominee and winner.

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 7:56 PM 

And now we know all the winners of the New Vision People's Choice Film Awards. The biggest winner of this night is The Kitara Chronicles.

Time now for group photo moments, starting with the winners, followed by all the nominees.

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 7:54 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Director - Feature Film 

Yiga Sadat - The Kitara Chronicles

"We appreciate this. May the good Lord bless you," says Sadat, who is escorted to the stage by members of The Kitara Chronicles.

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 7:53 PM 

Vision Group Deputy Editor-in-Chief Felix Osike is invited to announce the winner of the Best Feature Film Director award.

Before reading out the name sealed inside the envelope, Osike takes a moment to thank and congratulate every nominee, acknowledging that film and TV production is an expensive venture.

He urges filmmakers to continue partnering with Vision Group, a multimedia company that advances society through its work, which includes entertainment.

He says Vision Group offers a broad platform to showcase filmmakers' work and hopefully attract funders.

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 7:51 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best TV Series (Producer) 

Damalie - Doreen Mirembe Snr

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 7:45 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

  Best Actress - Feature Film 

Rose Birungi - The Kitara Chronicles 

She is represented by castmate Isa Yusuf Masadde.

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 7:43 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

  Best Actor - Feature Film 

Isa Yusuf Masadde – The Kitara Chronicles 

"I would like to recognize the team behind The Kitara Chronicles. Thank you for the good work," says Masadde.

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 7:40 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Music in a TV Series 

Sanyu - Abubakar Isiko

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 7:37 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Short Film 

Maama Wange - Doreen Mirembe Jr

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 7:37 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Reality TV Show (Producers) 

Date My Family - Judithiana Namazzi and Joel Ndugwa

Film director Richard Mulindwa, who was nominated for the Best Film Director award for The Test, will deliver the award to absent Namazzi.

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 7:37 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Costume Design Feature Film 

The Kitara Chronicles - Hikmah Nabbanja

Nabbanja is unwell so she has not been able to make it to the ceremony. She has sent someone to represent her.
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 7:33 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best make-up artist in a TV Series 

Prestige - Sera Nasike and Esther Nakaziba

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 7:30 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best make-up artist in a Feature film 

The Kitara Chronicles - Hikmah Nabbanja and Shadia Nakibuuka

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 7:26 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Actress in a TV Series 

Doreen Mirembe Snr – Damalie

"I am honoured to receive this award. I thank God," says Mirembe who is escorted to the stage by her producer and another colleague.

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 7:20 PM 

📺  TV AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Actor in a TV Series 

Allan Katongole Kutosi – Sanyu

Among the people Katongole pays tribute to is his late father, who told him to "show the world who you are". He also thanks his boss, Mathew Nabwiso, for believing in him and giving him a chance.

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 7:19 PM 

We return from the short break, and jump right back to the winners.

Show host Derrick Aine is set with the mic.

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 6:55 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Director - Feature Film 

Yiga Sadat - The Kitara Chronicles

"It's an amazing feeling. I am so humbled," says Sadat as he receives his award.

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 6:50 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Cinematography Feature Film 

The Kitara Chronicles - Sudaisy Kizito Sebbowa

"I thank the entire cast and crew," he says as he receives his award.

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 6:47 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Music in a Feature Film 

Unheard - Joe Kahirimbayi

"I would like to dedicate this award to all my people in Kigezi for believing in me," says Kahirimbayi.

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 6:44 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Documentary 

Walugembe - Shemei Agabo

"It is an amazing feeling to recognize such a documentary," he says, also paying to tribute to all the people who have contributed to his production.

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 6:38 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Screenplay - Feature Film 

The Kitara Chronicles - Yiga Sadat (pictured) and Isa Yusuf Masadde

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 6:36 PM 

📽️  FILM AWARDS WINNER 

 Best Animation Film 

Lost - Ashiraf Mulima

The winner is away (out of town) and couldn't make it to the awards ceremony, but he sent a delegate to represent him (the lady pictured below).

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 6:35 PM 

And here come the winners.

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 6:30 PM 

Look who is here! Does the onscreen name 'Oscar' ring a bell?

I am sure it does. The young man who plays the 'Oscar Kirunda' role in the captivating TV series Sanyu is Allan Katongole Kutosi (pictured on the right below).

He is looking to win the Best TV Series Actor award. But fellow castmate Jenkins Joel Mutumba and Emmanuel Ssendagire (Burning Hearts) will have a say on this.

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 6:14 PM 

Meanwhile, the live awards ceremony is on a musical interlude as the guests have a bite.

Hang in there a bit.

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 6:05 PM 

WATCH: Mwesigwa to God: 'Thank you'

Benjamine Enock Mwesigwa, who is nominated for the Best Animation Film award, hopes his production Ttula — about mental health — will get him across the line.

But he is a man of few words. Show host Sovaria Hughes knows she had to squeeze them out of the seemingly bashful animator.

Watch 👇🏽


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 5:48 PM 

WATCH: 'I am excited and nervous'

Richard Mulindwa, who is hoping to win the Best Feature Film director award, admits that much as he is excited, he is a tad "nervous".

Watch 👇🏽


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 5:27 PM 

📸  Pictured

Annet Lubega poses with Richard Mulindwa, who is nominated for the award of Best Feature Film director for The Test. 

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 5:12 PM 

💬 'Fulfilling to get rewarded'

Mathew Nabwiso, one of only two Ugandans to win an award at the AMVCAs (Africa’s Oscars), is in the building.

The actor, director and producer at Nabwiso Films is best known for the roles in films Imbabazi, Rain and Kyaddala, Battle of Souls, The Hostel, A Good Catholic Girl and several more.

He says it is always "fulfilling" when fans get to appreciate a filmmaker or actor's/actress' work.

Nabwiso is nominated for the best feature film director award for When You Become Me.

Lisa Sonia, alongside Pretty Janet Nakazi, is nominated for best make-up artist in a TV Series (Damalie).

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 4:57 PM 

📸  Pictured

Here are some of the beautiful faces from the Vision Group organizing team...

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 4:40 PM 

As the live broadcast pans away briefly for some good ol' musical break, I feel a strong urge to remind you that if you scroll a little further down this page, you will find brief profiles of the nominees. More than 40 of them.

I promise.
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 4:34 PM 

Awards ceremony begins

Let's get things started. Show host Derrick Aine and Martha Kiconco 'Fifi' are on stage for the introduction.

The New Vision People's Choice Film Awards are sponsored by Pepsi.

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 4:30 PM 

Meet the awards show hosts

Sovaria Hughes and Derrick Aine to the world!

They are stylish and dashing in black. And with their beautiful pearly whites out, you know that the show is about to get rolling.

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 3:55 PM 

A thing or two about the nominees...

Our dedicated team has pieced together brief profiles of the nominees for the New Vision People's Choice Film Awards. Take a look. 👇🏽

Hamis Mayanja Ibrahim

A movie producer, writer, director and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Films, Uganda. He joined the movie industry in 2017 and has made movies such as Chains, Nalindi, Bridge of Hope, Endless Love, Petal of Life, Destiny, Withhold and several more.

Yiga Sadat

Born October 9th, 1996, Yiga is a gifted Ugandan producer, director, and screenplay writer with a career spanning over five years. His talent and work have garnered him national recognition and has won several awards in different film festivals and film awards. In the first edition of the New Vision Film Awards, he garnered three awards.

Polly Kamukama

Kamukama is an award-winning Ugandan journalist, filmmaker and academician. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University and a Master's in Film Studies from the University of Southampton, UK.  He has been at the forefront of film development in Uganda for the past 12 years, serving in various capacities including as a curator, film critic, producer and cultural policy analyst.

Richard Mulindwa

A multi-award-winning Producer, Writer and Director known for projects such as Freedom, The Torture, The Only Son, Hanged for Love, Mistakes Galz Do (a series), 94 TERROR and several more.

Emmanuel Ssendagire

Ssendagire is an actor, producer, writer and cinematographer from Wings Films; and is known for movies like Amigo, Perverse Mama, Back From Jail, Accused, God Sent and others.

Issa Yusuf Masadde

Issa Masadde Yusuf is a Ugandan film Producer, Director, scriptwriter and producer; known for his roles in The Kitara Chronicles, Soccer Heart and Maama Wange, which have won him national recognition.

Joseph Kahirimbanyi

Joe Kahiri is a Ugandan Afro-fusion performer, recording artist and actor. He is a founder member of Qwela, one of the most popular bands in Uganda. This is his first outing as an actor. 

Joan Agaba

An actress, director and script writer, Agaba won Best Actress at the Coal City Film Festival(CCFF) in 2022 and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards(AMAAs) in 2021. She is known for her roles in 94 Terror, Lailah, Mistakes Gals Do The Torture, What If, Stain, The Test and several more.

Izaek Ekuka

Ekuka is an acclaimed cinematographer who has garnered recognition for his work in the film industry. Some of the movies he has worked on are Tembele, The Passenger, Stain and several more.

Shemei Agabo

A creative and innovative multimedia journalist and storyteller, passionate about telling stories that bring about social and behavioural change. 

Solomon Serwanjja

Ugandan investigative journalist and the Executive Director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ).

Doreen Mirembe Jr

Ugandan actress, producer, writer and journalist; known for her roles in Break The Chain, The Kitara Chronicles, Maama Wange, When You Become Me and several more.

Peter Mukiibi

Movie producer, director and editor known for his roles in movies Nambi, Kyenvu and several more.

Usama Mukwaya

Screenwriter, director, producer, actor and former television host known for his roles in movies Nambi, Hello, Love Faces, Balabala Sese, The Passenger and several more.

Ashiraf Mulima

Film producer, writer, actor and animator, known for animations Lost, A Thousand Fate and more. He has also been featured in Mistakes Galz Do and his latest project, I Apologise.

Joan Nantege

Nantege is a Ugandan filmmaker specialising in special effects, makeup and costume design. She has worked on several projects including Veronica’s Wish, Karamoja, Mukiisa, Bibi Mtoto and several more.

Doreen Mirembe Snr

Ugandan actress, producer, founder of a film company called Amani and a dental assistant at Pan Dental Surgery. She has acted in numerous films and TV series including Kafa Coh, Kyaddala, The Honourables, Mistakes Galz Do, Beneath The Lies, Deception, New Intentions, and Damalie.

Nathan Magoola

Filmmaker, publicist, director and producer at Ava Juliet Productions; known for films such as Felistas Fable, Divizions, Reflection, Beloved and others.

Mathew Nabwiso

One of only two Ugandans to win an award at the AMVCAs (Africa’s Oscars), Nabwiso is an actor, director and producer at Nabwiso Films. He is best known for the roles in films Imbabazi, Rain and Kyaddala, Battle of Souls, The Hostel, A Good Catholic Girl and several more.

Allan Kutos Katongole

Actor, dancer and artist known for his roles in movies and TV series such as Sanyu, Second Chance, 27 Guns and more.

Jackline Nalumansi

Actress, scriptwriter and makeup artist. She is known for her roles in movies Deep Cut, My House On Fire, The White Devil, Amigo, Burning Hearts and several more.

Esther Nakaziba

A special effects makeup artist and costume designer known for working on projects such as Kafa Coh, 27 Guns, Victim 30, Dail M For Maya and several more.

Ken Heights Sabiti

Cinematographer, editor and music video director at Heights Montage Films’ known for working on several projects such as When You Become Me.

Isiko Abubakar 

A  sound expert, movie actor and director known for working on projects such as Engaito, Beautiful Ashes, Circles, Junior Drama Club and more.

Sudaisy Kizito Sebbowa

Editor and cinematographer popular for his contribution to movies like Kitara Chronicles, Deadly Teen, and Soccer Heart.

Rose Lily Kebirungi

A professional makeup artist with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Art and Design from Makerere University, she did her first project as an assistant on the movie Imperial Blue in 2017. After which she worked on bigger projects such as 27 Guns, Mercy of The Jungle, Crystal, Faded Roses, and The Wrong Bet.

Arthur Nsubuga 

Distinguished Ugandan filmmaker acclaimed for his outstanding roles in films such as Freedom, Demented, The Smart Cycle, Judas Kiss, Taama and several more. Recipient of the Best Actor award at the South America Awards, he has amassed a series of nominations across esteemed film festivals and awards ceremonies. He presently works with Swangz Avenue.

Meddy Sserwadda

He is a movie script expert and producer known for his contribution to film projects such as Kyaddala, When You Become Me and The Passenger.

Benjamine Enoch Mwesigwa

Mwesigwa is a talented animator and creative with a passion for making animated films. He is a graduate of Industrial Training and is known for his outstanding animation called Ttula.

Hikmah Nabbanja

Nabbanja is a Ugandan African dancer, makeup artist, and costume designer. She started doing makeup and costume design in music videos, later on joined the film industry and worked on the award-winning film The Kitara Chronicles.

Jackline Katusiime

Actress, commercial model, TV personality and fashion entrepreneur. Has featured in movies such as Leila, Beneath Beauty, Foot Wine, Catch Out, Inspection, Passionate Way, Safari, Lost In Mabira. She has also featured in TV series such as Prestige, The Kojja, Okalyadda, The Office. 

Ginny Kyokusiima

Kyokusiima is a performing arts enthusiast that holds a Bachelors Degree of Arts in Drama and Film from Makerere University. She acts, writes, sings, does special effect makeup, camera work, costume design and much more. She is known for films like The Kojja, Popi, and N.S.I.W.E.

Jenkin Joel Mutumba 

A professional actor popular for his roles in films such as 27 Guns, Rain, Nambi and several more.

Raymond Malinga

Malinga is a professional director, writer and animator known for working on projects such as Kizazi Moto, A Kalabanda ate my Homework and Beyond the Trailer, among others.

Lisa Sonia

Sonia is a singer in the BlackRoots UNLIMITED band with Tshaka Mayanja. She is also a film make-up artist doing special effects. Has worked on movies like Tale of Our Times, Damalie, Mania and Your Turn.

Rose Birungi

Known for her roles in The Kitara Chronicles, Gold In Dust, Salambwa, Mama Wange and several more.

Bridget Nabulya

A passionate beauty and film makeup artist currently working on the Sanyu TV series. She is also recognized for her contribution to the Kyaddala TV Series.

Mariam Nyamatte

Nyamatte is an actress, pageant queen, makeup artist, businesswoman and TV and events host. She was 2nd up and 1st runner up Miss Uganda 2019/20 and 2020/2021 respectively. She has featured in several TV series including Sanyu, Prestige, Borders and in the movie The Passenger.

Francis Nsubuga

Known as Kaasa Dakota, Nsubuga is a film editor and cinematographer working with Zenji Studios. He is recognized for his contribution on films Ganyana, Piece Agreement, Price of Lies, Back From Jail, Perpetrator and several more.

Shadia Nakibuuka

An actress who owns an ushering company, she is recognized for her contribution to movies Thug Life, Broken, The Kitara Chronicles and more.

Hanifah Abduallah Birungi

Birungi is an actress and a makeup artist specializing in special effects. She is also a voice actor and has worked on projects such as Gamyuse TV series, One Step Time, Perfect Imperfection, Chewzi Dynasty, Rip off, Two Faced and others.
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 3:55 PM 

Daniel Owor, a producer at Urban TV, along with the rest of the bigger team have ensured that all is in place as we build up to the awards ceremony.

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 3:41 PM 

The stage is set

It's just a matter of time, ladies and gentlemen...

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 3:26 PM 

An evening with the stars

📽️  FILM AWARDS 

A reminder that this evening's awards ceremony will be relayed live on Urban TV.

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 3:15 PM 

📝 The nominees for the 17 categories

📽️  FILM AWARDS 

 1. Best Feature Film (producers) 

▪️  Petal of life - Hamis Mayanja Ibrahim 
▪️  The Kitara Chronicles - Yiga Sadat
▪️  Unheard - Polly Kamukama 

 2. Best Director - Feature Film 

▪️  Mathew Nabwiso – When You Become Me
▪️  Richard Mulindwa - The Test  
▪️  Yiga Sadat - The Kitara Chronicles 

 3. Best Actor - Feature Film 

▪️  Emmanuel Ssendagire – Amigo
▪️  Isa Yusuf Masadde – The Kitara Chronicles
▪️  Joseph Kahirimbayi – Unheard

 4. Best Actress Feature Film 

▪️  Jackline Katusiime – Unheard  
▪️  Rehema Mutesi - Petal of Life
▪️  Rose Birungi - The Kitara Chronicles 

 5. Best Cinematography Feature Film 

▪️  The Passenger - Izaek Ekuka 
▪️  The Kitara Chronicles - Sudaisy Kizito Sebbowa
▪️  Unheard - Kitsha Kyasi Joseph

 6. Best Costume Design Feature Film 

▪️  The Passenger - Joan Nantege  
▪️  The Kitara Chronicles - Hikmah Nabbanja  
▪️  Unheard - Ginny Kusiima   

 7. Best Screenplay - Feature Film 

▪️  The Passenger - Meddy Sserwadda
▪️  The Kitara Chronicles - Yiga Sadat and Isa Yusuf Masadde 
▪️  Unheard - Polly Kamukama 

 8. Best Documentary 

▪️  Rwenzori: The Source of Life - 
▪️  Walugembe - Shemei Agabo  
▪️  When Water Is Not Life - Solomon Serwanja 

 9. Best Short Film 

▪️  Maama Wange - Doreen Mirembe Jr 
▪️  Nambi - Peter Mukiibi and Usama Mukwaya 
▪️  Taama - Arthur Nsubuga 

 10. Best Animation Film 

▪️  Kizazi Motto - Herderboy - Raymond Malinga
▪️  Lost - Ashiraf Mulima  
▪️  Ttula - Benjamine Enock Mwesigwa

 11. Best make-up artist in a Feature Film 

▪️  The Passenger - Joan Nantege 
▪️  The Kitara Chronicles - Hikmah Nabbanja and Shadia Nakibuuka
▪️  Unheard - Rose Lilly Kebirungi  

 12. Best Music in a Feature Film 

▪️  Amigo - Francis Nsubuga
▪️  Unheard - Joe Kahirimbayi  
▪️  When you become me - Ken Heights Sabiiti

📺   TV AWARDS 

 1. Best Reality TV Show (Producers) 

▪️  Date My Family - Judithiana Namazzi and Joel Ndugwa 
▪️  Kan see me – Anne Kansiime 
▪️  Take Me Back - Joel Ndugwa

 2. Best Actor in a TV Series 

▪️  Allan Katongole Kutosi – Sanyu
▪️  Emmanuel Ssendagire - Burning Hearts 
▪️  Jenkins Joel Mutumba – Sanyu 

 3. Best Actress in a TV Series 

▪️  Doreen Mirembe Snr – Damalie 
▪️  Hanifah Abduallah Bilungi - Gamyuse
▪️  Jackline Nalumansi - Burning Hearts 

 4. Best make-up artist in a TV Series 

▪️  Damalie - Lisa Sonia and Pretty Janet Nakazi 
▪️  Prestige - Sera Nasike and Esther Nakaziba 

 5. Best Music in a TV Series 

▪️  Burning Hearts - Ketchaz Studios
▪️  Damalie - Lawrence Magaya (Post Studios/ Oh and Mulika Studios)
▪️  Sanyu - Abubakar Isiko
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 3:12 PM 

17 categories

The awards have been dichotomized into two: film (12 categories) and TV (five categories).

That means altogether there are 17 categories. The list of the nominees is coming up shortly.
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 3:10 PM 

⏰All set!

Right then, not long from now, the awards ceremony will be getting under way at the Vision Group head office in Kampala.

Be sure to catch the ceremony as it unfolds live on Urban TV.


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 3:04 PM 

'Yes, you have done a good job'

"The New Vision People's Choice Film Awards recognizes all the hard work that goes into producing films and TV shows, in whatever aspect of that production," says New Vision's Kalungi Kabuye, who is a versatile photojournalist, fashion photographer, writer and published poet.

"All the agony, the moments of self-doubt and the refusal to give up. And the awards being solely voted for by the public, it is a recognition from the people who consume the films produced that yes, you have done a good job."
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 3:00 PM 

Hello and welcome!

The opening credits of your favourite local film or TV programme are about to begin flashing on and fading off the screen.

Your giant box of popcorn is already sat nicely on your lap. The remote control is well within reach. The curtains are drawn in a perfect replication of the ambience inside a movie theatre. You can't wait for the film or TV show to get under way.

Yep! We, too, are eager for the New Vision People's Choice Film Awards ceremony to begin this evening. And begin it will — not long from now.

So how about you sit back, relax and follow our live text coverage of today's ceremony which is scheduled to start at 4:30pm.