Western Uganda filmmakers pose with their awards at Ankole Resort and Spur on March 7, 2025. PHOTO/PEREZ RUMANZI
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has called on local film producers to showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage and strengths in their works to combat negative stereotypes and help in the decolonization of the continent.
At the third Western Region Film Competition held at Ankole Resort and Spur in Ntungamo District, Fred Otunu, representing the UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo, urged filmmakers to emulate the global success of Western and Chinese films, which have not only boosted their tourism industries but also shaped positive perceptions of their nations.
“We grew up watching films from China and Hollywood, depicting mighty soldiers and flying people. Now it’s our time to use films to demonstrate Africa’s untapped potential and might,” Otunu remarked.
He emphasized the importance of modern production techniques and artificial intelligence to create films with a global impact while preserving African culture.
The competition, designed to diversify Uganda’s audio-visual content and empower upcountry filmmakers, featured 19 submissions.
However, Otunu highlighted the low number of entries and urged the industry to step up its production efforts to represent the continent’s rich heritage.
The event, preceded by a week-long training for 35 filmmakers from western Uganda, also drew attention to the high costs of production.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Isaiah Kanyamahane encouraged filmmakers to use their films as tools to attract investment and business partnerships, while district chairperson Samuel Mucunguzi suggested stronger government support for investor-oriented projects.
While Uganda’s film industry once held a prominent position in Africa, it now faces challenges, especially with local-language films struggling internationally.
Otunu concluded that to regain its standing, “the industry must produce globally competitive films that reflect Africa’s true potential and power.”
Written by Perez Rumanzi
