Takeaways from Hidden Uganda documentary premiere

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The much-anticipated Hidden Uganda documentary premiered on Wednesday at an event presided over by President Yoweri Museveni.

Hosted at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, the event attracted a high-profile guest list from the spheres of politics, diplomacy, business, entertainment, and conservation, to witness the unveiling of Uganda's beauty and heritage through the lens of this compelling documentary.

President impressed

At the event, President Museveni, who arrived at the Munyonyo Convention Centre at around 7:30 pm, applauded American Emmy Award-winning journalist and television producer, Peter Greenberg, for capturing the beauty and heritage of Uganda through the documentary.

(File/Miriam Namutebi/New Vision)

Museveni was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, their daughter and co-director of the Hidden Uganda film project, Diana Museveni, and some of their grandchildren.

President Museveni noted that he was very grateful to Mr Greenberg and to Diana for this wonderful documentary. (PPU photo)

“I am very grateful to Mr Greenberg and to Diana for this wonderful documentary. This is tourism, but I think it is also civilisational interaction because many people—the Indians, the Chinese, the Europeans, the Arabs—don’t know much about ancient African civilisation. We keep it to ourselves; we are a bit selfish. But I think it’s good to share with other people, to expose [our culture], because the societies here are very strong,” Museveni said.

Museveni and the First Lady watched the hour-long documentary attentively, alongside other distinguished guests.

Museveni and the First Lady watched the hour-long documentary attentively, alongside other distinguished guests. (PPU Photo)

They included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, security minister Gen. Jim Muhwezi, tourism state minister Martin Mugara Bahinduka, minerals state minister Phiona Nyamutoro, diplomats, renowned artists, and conservationists.

(PPU photo)

A showcase of Uganda’s rich diversity

The documentary presents a diverse mix of history, wildlife, culture, food, music, environment, landscape, sustainability, sports, and physical activities, among other themes.

Winston Churchill, in his 1908 travelogue My African Journey, vividly described Uganda as a land of “magnificence for variety of form and colour, abundance of brilliant wildlife with animals and birds full of life, insects, reptiles, among others.”

Minister Mugara reported to the President that in the last financial year (2023/2024), revenue earnings from the tourism sector averaged between $1.2b (sh4.3 trillion) and $1.3b (sh4.6 trillion).

Before inviting the President to the podium, Alupo congratulated Greenberg, Diana, and the team at the Ministry of Tourism for dedicating their time, energy, resources, and expertise to promoting Uganda’s tourism aspirations.

A dedication to God

The First Lady dedicated the documentary to God and thanked the Creator for Uganda’s rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes—including lakes, rivers, hills, savannah grasslands, and mountains—fertile soils, and beautiful weather.

“Thank you, Father, for friends like Peter Greenberg, who are graciously holding hands with us on this journey of unfolding our hidden treasure. Father, may You bless them and continue to expand their territories,” Mrs Museveni prayed.

(File/Miriam Namutebi/New Vision)

Lilly Ajarova, chief executive officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). (File/Miriam Namutebi/New Vision)

Greenberg, who is also the CBS News travel editor, reaffirmed before the President and First Lady that he remains committed to sharing Uganda’s unique story with the world.

“My job is to make them geographically understand anything. My job is to show them the experiences that they can have, the people they can meet, what they can accomplish, what they can achieve, what they can learn, how they can immerse themselves in another culture, and make friends like the ones I made who are here tonight,” Greenberg said.

Where to watch Hidden Uganda

Diana Museveni revealed that the documentary is already airing on PBS stations across the United States and is also available on digital platforms such as Amazon and Apple TV.

It will soon be available on YouTube.

“It will also be distributed internationally, airing across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. It will continue to have regular repeat broadcasts on PBS for up to three years,” she said.