Ugandan filmmakers can now call Maisha Magic their home

By Nigel M. Nassar

In what is highly anticipated to give a major push to the East African film industry, M-Net East Africa on September 3rd launched the very first customized East African entertainment channel, Maisha Magic (DStv Channel 161).
 
The one-fits-all regional launch at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel brought to town a team from the regional office in Nairobi, to grace what film practitioners across East Africa are looking at as a milestone for the region.
 
Uganda’s film and television practitioners, including actors, make-up artistes, directors, script writers, playwrights, producers, critics and funders, among others, attended the red-carpet cocktail and sumptuous dinner in droves.

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Godfrey Mulekyezi beat the males to take home a a DStv Walker

Clearly, they couldn’t hide their excitement at the launch of a channel dedicated to showcasing content exclusively from East Africa, accessible via DStv Premium, Compact and Compact Plus.

“As a filmmaker, I am definitely excited. I and several filmmakers here have produced content for years but without a continental channel we can call our own and bank on to showcase our abilities. Now here it is. Wait and see what Ugandans can do,” said award-winning local filmmaker Matt Bish in an interview on the sidelines of the event.
 
Mariam Ndagire, another Ugandan film heavyweight whose TV series Tendo Sisters is to start showing on Maisha Magic soon, also pitched in her excitement.

“This is a boost, the rest of Africa and the world better watch out for Ugandan film. I can’t wait to see Ugandan content all over Maisha Magic,” said Ndagire, also a singer with several records to her voice.

For Jayant Maru, another local filmmaker known mostly for the feature film The Route, Maisha Magic will aid healthy competition between Ugandan and the other East African filmmakers, a thing guaranteed to increase Ugandan representation at film awards across Africa. 

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Sham Murray was based dressed lady took home a DStv Walker

Speaker after another elaborated what a milestone the move is, including Michael Ndetei, the regional director M-Net East Africa, Charles Hamya, the general manager Multichoice Uganda, and Steven Musoke, chairman Multichoice Uganda.

The event was also attended by MP Nathan Nabeta, chairman UBC.
 
Chief guest Godfrey Mutabaazi, the executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), welcomed the move, thanking the pay television administrators for heeding UCC’s earlier directive that required all television players to expand their local content offering.  

The end of speeches gave way to lighter moments, including dining and performances from Qwela and Bebe Cool backed by his Gagamel Band (Bebe Cool no longer does play-back these days, and he does give fans really quality entertainment).
 
And for those who heeded the dress code (East African), a vote by guests to establish the best dressed was conducted.

A one Godfrey Mulekyezi beat the males, and Sham Murray the ladies – each took home a DStv Walker, a tablet-like DStv-connected mobile TV.      

Maisha Magic offers a wide variety of content across multiple genres including movies, drama series, sitcoms, music programmes, talk shows, lifestyle programmes and reality shows.