Since they were rolled out nine editions ago, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been a ride. From being a continental audience voted for awards, for films many people had never heard of let alone watched, to being mostly dominated by two countries – Nigeria and South Africa.
The event held in Nigeria was a mixed bag that brought many African films into the same pot. At the time, films from the continent were dumped all together regardless of genre or form, they somehow ended up competing with each other.
That is how Mathew Nabwiso ended up taking home the AMVCA for Best Actor for his role in Matt Bish’s short film, A Good Catholic Girl. For many years Nabwiso was the only Ugandan winner at the AMVCAs even when a good number of Ugandans have been nominated for an award or two.