The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Polly Kamukama and Joseph Ken Ssebaggala’s drama – Unheard – was the top winner at the 2nd edition of the Ikon Awards held over the weekend at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The prestigious iKon Awards saw several creatives from Uganda and Africa win accolades for their contributions towards the Film Industry.
The film Unheard – starring Jackline Katusime, Joseph Kahirimbanyi and Cyril Baryabawe – won the Best Film Award in addition to six other accolades, namely: Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Sound, Best Makeup and Special Effects; Best Production Design and; Emerging Film Award.
Unheard is voiced in the Rukiga dialect and was shot in Rwenshama and Kabale in Western Uganda and tells the story of a young widow in a remote fishing village in South Western Uganda who stuns her community by defying a centuries-old tradition.
While accepting the award, Polly Kamukama said, “I’ve been working on this film since 2011 when I was in university. I’d been scarred by a particular moment in my childhood and the original idea was to write a story about my mother. But as I grew older, as a journalist, I interviewed women riding boda bodas (motorcycle taxis), driving taxis, female boxers in Katanga slum and other women who were shattering ceilings and making a difference who were brave enough to defy all these entrenched cultural traditions. These ladies were inspiring the next generation of women, and this is a story that resonated with me and my mother. I’m so grateful that you all believed in my story.”
The Ikon Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) as a platform to recognise and celebrate innovation and creativity in Uganda’s film and television industry and supported by Sauti Plus Media Hub, UNESCO, Radiant, Uganda Airlines, Kampala Serena Hotel, Next Media, Divine Resort Mukono, Sozo Films, Coal360, ATS Events, Light For The world, Aquafina, Cinema UG, Uganda Key Populations Consortium, Media Challenge Initiative, Print Creations and Ramsey Films.
The awards were attended by special guests from Nigeria’s film industry, including Ramsey Nouah; Osite Iheme; Nancy Isime, Chris Odeh and Uche Ateli.
This year’s edition saw a total of 203 films and series submitted for nomination.
Gender Minister Amongi, who represented President Museveni, again made a case for intellectualy property rights.
“The President has asked that we enact a law to protect intellectual property from plagiarism. Secondly, we need to monetize the content. People have talked about shared collaboration with Nigeria. We saw Kenzo and Bobi Wine get international nominations, and we are so proud of such people. So, it’s high time the government supported Ugandan talent. I thank the Ugandan youth who have occupied the international scene,” she said.
WINNERS
Best Film
The Kitara Chronicles – Yiga Sadat, Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
The Passenger – Meddy Sserwada, Hadijah Nakanjako
Unheard – Polly Kamukama, Joseph Ken Ssebaggala (WINNER)
All for Love – Okurut Nego Paul
Best Director
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard (WINNER)
Hadijah Nakanjako – The Passenger
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Patrick Lorimo – Maid of Honor
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Fauziah Nakiboneka – Maid of Honor
Jackline Katusiime – Unheard (WINNER)
Rehema Mutesi – Ganyana
Tania Shakirah Kankindi – All for Love
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Kenneth Rukundo – All for Love
Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate
Henry Nathan Katongole – The Passenger (WINNER)
Masadde Isa Yusuf – The Kitara Chronicles
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Joseph Kahirimbanyi – Unheard
Mathew Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Blair Koono – Enkuba (WINNER)
Sulait Mulimira – Ganyana
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Edith Baganda – Maid of Honor
Allen Musumba – The Passenger (WINNER)
Diana Kahunde – All for Love
Florence Naiga – Ganyana
Best Director of Photography
The Fallen Advocate – Benson Kamau Muigai
The Passenger – Izaek Ekuka (WINNER)
Unheard – Kitsha Kyasi Joseph
The Kitara Chronicles – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
Best Screenplay
The Kitara Chronicles by Yiga Sadat, Masadde Isa Yusuf
The Passenger by Meddy Sserwada
Maid of Honor by Patrick Lorimo (WINNER)
Unheard by Polly Kamukama
Best Sound
Elly Musinguzi – Nkwanzi’s Slip
Simon Agola, Michael Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Isiko Abubaker – The Passenger
Kaz Kasozi – Unheard (WINNER)
Best Editor
Emma Daka Waira – The Passenger (WINNER)
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard
Derrick Taremwa – Enkuba
Okurut Nego Paul – All for Love
Best Costume Design
Nabanja Hikmah, Lukwago Paluku, Tumusiime Jackie – The Kitara Chronicles (WINNER)
Kyosiima Ginny – Unheard
Matilda Kavuma – Maid of Honor
Julian Kirabo, Ali Musinguzi, Isaac Kyakoonye, Patricia Nabirye – The Tale of Our Times
Best Makeup and Special Effects
Esther Nakaziba – Maid of Honor
Rose Lily Kebirungi – Unheard (WINNER)
Lisa Sonia, Shadia Nakaddu, Cathy Kyokunda, Joana Nabakiibi – The Tale of Our Times
Hikmah Nabbanja, Patience Nakibuka Shadia – The Kitara Chronicles
Best Production Design
Francis Byaruhanga – Unheard (WINNER)
Rutaro Abel – The Tale of Our Times
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Imran Musabeh – The Passenger
Best Visual Effects
Cruz Abdullah, Faisal Mukalazi, Patrick Chris Black – The Tale of Our Times
Tusingwire Alex – The Kitara Chronicles (WINNER)
Wavamuno Caeser, Suuna Abubakar – Enkuba
Best Short Film
Taama – Arthur Nsubuga
Ziwa – Samuel Tebandeke
Building 62 – Hakim Zziwa (WINNER)
The Last Shoemaker – Ali Musoke
Best Documentary
The Shadow Pandemic – Ssekandi Jimmy (WINNER)
The Land of Peace – Ali Kibirige, Herbert Jjuuko, James Twino
Dear Queen – Jamir Jamal Musenze
Best Animation Film
The Guardian – Denis Junior Dhikusooka
Herderboy – Raymond Malinga (WINNER)
Lost – Ashiraf Mulima
Best TV Series
Prestige – Nathan Magoola
Damalie – Doreen Mirembe (WINNER)
Beloved – Nathan Magoola
Best Actor in a TV Series
Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige
Dennis Kinani – Damalie
Symon Base Kalema – Prestige (WINNER)
Best Actress in a TV Series
Doreen Mirembe – Damalie (WINNER)
Sally Elizabeth Bwamimpeke – Prestige
Faith Kirabo – Beloved
Best Student Film
Find Me Online – Brian “Vons” Mukisa
I Sold Me Out – Lubeera Saphina
Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere Nurudeen
Silent Scream – Otim Gerald (WINNER)
Ikon Rising Star
Faith Kirabo
Joseph Kahirimbanyi
King Missy Ochola (WINNER)
Ikon Rising Star (Africa)
Nancy Isime
Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Wawuyo Sr.
Emerging Film Award
Unheard
African Ikon Award
Osita Iheme
