Uganda gets record number of nominations in 'Africa's Oscars'

Cinderella Sanyu as a homeless young woman in Bella.

Richard Mulindwa's film ‘The Torture' leads twelve others in the highest number of nominations ever received by Ugandan filmmakers in this year's Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCAs), also known as ‘Africa's Oscars'; the Nominees list was released by Multichoice late last month.

The thirteen nominations Uganda received beat out the four received by Joseph Ken Ssebaggala for his film ‘House Arrest' in 2016. 

‘The Torture' garnered five nominations for Best Writer (Richard Mulindwa), Best Cinematographer (Rwamusigazi Kyakunzire), Best Actress (Joan Agaba), Best Director (Richard Mulindwa), and Best Actor (Raymond Rushabiro).  

Four Ugandan films were nominated in the Best Movie East Africa category: ‘Devil's Chest' (Hassan Mageye), ‘The Forgiven' (Kizito Samuel Saviour), ‘Rain' (Mathew & Eleanor Nabwiso), and ‘Bella' (Matt Bish). The only other nominee in this category was Kenya's ‘18 Hours' by Phoebe Ruguru. 

In addition ‘Devil's Chest' was nominated in the Best Overall Movie category, while ‘Bella' garnered nominations in the Best Actress category (Cindy Sanyu), and Best Soundtrack (Andrew Ahuura). 

The AMVCAs were established in 2013 by Multichoice to recognise outstanding achievement in television and film in Africa, and are voted for by the general public. Uganda's only win was in 2013 when Mathew Nabwiso won the Best Supporting Actor for the short film ‘A Good Catholic Girl'. 

"It is important that we vote for our nominees, this is our chance to shine on Africa's biggest stage," said Multichoice Public Relations Manager Tina Wamala.

"The winners will be decided by the vote of the public, so we really should make sure and vote for our people who have worked very hard to get where they are." 

Voting opened on Saturday June 30^th, and will close on Sunday August 24^th, 2018. One has to register to vote on the Africa Magic website www.africamagic.tv.  

Full list of Uganda's nominees: 

Best Movie East Africa 

Hassan Mageye (Devil's Chest)

Kizito Samuel Saviour (The Forgiven)

Mathew & Eleanor Nabwiso (Rain)

Matt Bish (Bella)

Best Overall Movie 

Hassan Mageye (Devil's Chest)

Best Writer (Movie/TV Series) 

Richard Mulindwa (The Torture)

Best Cinematographer Movie or TV Series 

Rwamusigazi Kyakunzire (The Torture)

Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) 

Joan Agaba (The Torture)

Cinderella Sanyu (Bella)

Best Movie Director 

Richard Mulindwa (The Torture)

Best Sound Track Movie or TV Series 

Andrew Ahuura (Bella)

Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) 

Rushabiro Raymond (The Torture)