'Makula', 'Omukululo', and 'Christmas Together' dominate Uganda Film Festival nomination list

The nomination list for the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) 2024 was unveiled on May 10, 2024, following the closure of submissions a few weeks ago.

The list features over 50 films selected from more than 250 submissions from Uganda and around the world, spread across 25 categories, each comprising five nominees.

Three feature films — Christmas Together directed by Eleanor Nabwiso, Makula by Nisha Kalema, and Omukululo by Ibrahim Hamis Mayanja — each garnered more than 10 nominations.

Nisha Kalema's Makula leads with 12 nominations, the highest of any film. 

Speaking to New Vision, Kalema expressed her gratitude and optimism, saying she is looking forward at winning big.

"It's a great honour to see my movie top the charts. I am hopeful about winning several awards, although I acknowledge that the other films are also strong contenders," she said.

Kalema added: "I believe my team and I did a good job, but that doesn't mean the other works are inferior. I can't claim I'll win all the accolades because I haven't seen all the competing films, but anything is possible."

Other films that  received a significant number of nominations include Lions of Buganda by Jerry Sesanga, Half Life by Richard Mulindwa, Soccer Heart by Kevin Johns Nabukenya, Maria by Nana Kagga and Meme Kagga,  and Sabotage by Mathew Nabwiso.

Below is the nomination list:

BEST FEATURE FILM
Soccer Heart - Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Christmas Together - Eleanor Nabwiso
Makula - Nisha Kalema
The Lions of Buganda - Jerry Sessanga 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Sabotage - Mickydad Kaaku
Christmas Together - 
Love Tragic - Kasesene - Angella
Makula - Nantege Maureen Victoria
The Lions of Buganda - Ali Misoke, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia

BEST SOUND DESIGN
Omukululo - Mirembe Zurifath, Kyobe Sebbowa
The Lions of Buganda - Marvin Rain Ssentongo
Christmas Together - Isiko Abubakar
Makula - Jose Arins
Soccer Heart - Kyobe Sebbowa

BEST ACTOR - FEATURE FILM
Omukululo - Prince Joe Nakibinge
Apologize - Isaac Mandez Kintu
Half Life - Edris Lubega
Sabotage - Jjemba Musoke Austin
Present Past - Ssekimpi John Mary

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FEATURE FILM
Maid of Honour - Fauziah Nakiboneka
High Life - Mommo Nelson
Sabotage - Stella Nantumbwe
Christmas Together - Nakayo Veronica
Omukululo - Kansiime Sophie

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Ghetto Mama - Onyutta Brenda
1911 - Shemei Agabo
Summitting Mount Elgon 3rd - Wogube Denard
Africa's Race to 2040 , Vaccine Manufacturing - Solomon Serwanjja 
Tuko Pamoja - Cindy Eveln Magara

BEST DIRECTOR
Omukululo - Charles Luzinda
Makula - Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha
Christmas Together - Eleanor Nabwiso
Half Life - Richard Mulindwa
Maria - Nana Kagga

BEST POST - PRODUCTION
Makula - Imran Musabbeh
Christmas Together - Imran Musabbeh
The Lions of Buganda - Tumisiime Robert Quintes
Sabotage - Ritah Babirye
Omukululo - Mutesi Mariam

BEST SCREENPLAY
My Love from Another Land - Kevin Johns Nabukenya, Anu and Pablo
Half Life - Richard Mulindwa and Joan Agaba
Christmas Together - Mary Nyanzi and Eleanor Nabwiso
Soccer Heart - Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Makula - Nisha Kalema

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Twine Missing - Marijan Hussein
Sekukkulu - Bwanika Baale Felix 
Fragile - Wasajja Hannington
Maria - Muhamood Zamunyo
Omukululo - Prince Joe Nakibinge

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Lions of Buganda - Abdul Kakande, Faysal Mukalazi
Makula - Alex Ireeta
Christmas Together - Izaek Ekuka
Omukululo - JB Edit Ug
Half Life - Henry Matovu and Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa

BEST POST PRODUCTION/ EDIT
Love Tragic - Mutebi Azihari
Christmas Together - Paul Kimera and Kikaawa Wilson
Soccer Heart - Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
The Lions of Buganda - Marvin Rain Ssentongo and Muhwezi Herbert
Makula - Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa and Henry Matovu

BEST MAKE-UP
The Lions of Buganda - Joanah Jojo Nabakiibi, Latifah Nabatanzi and Rutaro Abel
Makula - Nakakande Cynthia 
Half Life - Kabanyweri Maggie
Christmas Together - Eleanor Nabwiso and Bangi Solome
Love Tragic - Mutebi Azihari

BEST ACTRESS - FEATURE
Omukululo - Joan Nabakiibi
Maria  - Pelly Peninah Nampanga
Law of Consequences - Monica Jacobs Birwinyo 
Ritaliation - Viola Kebirungi 
Makula - Nisha Kalema

BEST TV SERIES
Junior Drama Club(JDC) - Allan Manzi
Sanyu - Mathew Nabwiso
Prestige - Nathan Magoola
Damalie - Doreen Mirembe
Khosa - Ivan Kamai Mayatsa

BEST ACTRESS - TV SERIES
Ann Marie Nattabi - Beloved
Cleopatra Koheirwe - Prestige
Mamugenyi Catherine - Sanyu
Doreen Mirembe - Damalie
Hajara Nabukenya - Khosa

BEST ACTOR TV SERIES
Kenny Rukundo - Damalie
Abby Mukiibi - Sanyu
Symon Base Kalema - Prestige
Allan Kutos Katongole - Sanyu
Raymond Rushabiro - Prestige 

BEST STUDENT FILM
Malediction - Ssennyondo Marvin
Scold's Bridle - Ssemwogerere Nurudeen
The Chicken Thief - Enock Timothy Jjemba
Not My Daughter -  Lubeera Saphina 
Hypochondriac - Emma Okello

BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
Makula - Nisha Kalema
Maria - Nana Kagga and Meme Kagga
Omukululo  - Ibra Jamie Mayanja
The Lions of Buganda - Jerry Sessanga
Half Life - Richard Mulindwa

BEST ANIMATION
The Guardian - Denis Junior Dhikusoka
Echoes of Unseen - Wilber Akatuhurira 
Kataleya - Denis Junior Dhikusoka
Gwanga Planter - Wilber Akatuhurira
Stuck in the Nest Kiberu Siraje

BEST REGIONAL FILM
Taama - Arthur Nsubuga
117 shoes story of generosity - Komakech Daniel
Cross Border Peace - Komakech Daniel
The Rock That Turned Into Butter - Frank Kabushanga
Jobless Corner Series - Mwebaze Martin

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM 
Offshoot - Nigeria
Qazi - Pakistan
The Crab Basket - Chile 
Footprints of water - United Kingdom
Return of the Jungle - India

BEST SHORT FILM
Ziwa - Samuel Tebandeke
The Last Showle Maker - Ali Musoke 
9 Lives - Hadijah Nakanjako
Taama - Arthur Nsubuga 
Getting To Know You - Patrick Lorimo

BEST EAST AFRICAN FILM
Visasi - Kenya 
Mvera - Kenya
The Midnight Bride - Tanzania
I'm Coming Home - Kenya
The Fall of King Odongo - Kenya

BEAT VIEWERS' CHOICE
Soccer Heart - Kevin Johns Nabukenya
Christmas Together - Eleanor Nabwiso
Makula - Nisha Kalema
The Lions of Buganda - Jerry Sessanga
Omukululo - Ibra Hamis Mayanja