Takeaways

• Maama Wange earns 9 nominations at the 2026 Uganda Film Festival.
• The film addresses SGBV, teenage pregnancy, and life in Kampala’s slums.
• It builds on success from iKON Fellowship and multiple international awards.

Maama Wange, a powerful social drama born out of the 2023 iKON Awards Young Filmmakers’ Fellowship, has secured nine nominations at the 2026 Uganda Film Festival (UFF).

The film tackles urgent social issues, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and teenage pregnancy. It tells the story of a single mother living in the slums of Namuwongo, navigating the painful aftermath of sexual assault while trying to rebuild her life.

The iKON Awards Young Filmmakers’ Fellowship, an initiative by Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), is designed to equip emerging filmmakers with practical skills through masterclasses, workshops, and on-set training under the guidance of industry professionals. After completing the program, fellows receive funding to produce films centered on critical social issues.

Maama Wange was created as a collaborative project by the fellowship participants, with Doreen Mirembe and Isa Masadde taking lead roles. The film was produced by Sauti Plus, an audiovisual production company, and is scheduled for its theatrical premiere on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at the RAHU headquarters in Lungujja.

To extend its reach and impact, the film is also being screened through Kwiso Mu Cinema, a RAHU-led initiative that brings socially conscious Ugandan films to underserved urban communities and ghettos, using storytelling as a tool to spark dialogue and behavioral change.

The nine UFF nominations add to the film’s growing list of accolades. Maama Wange previously won Best Short Film at the iKON Awards and at the 7th Kaduna International Film Festival in Nigeria. It has also received international recognition, including a win at the Black Cat Award International Film Festival in La Paz, Bolivia, where it was awarded Best Film About Kids—further highlighting its global appeal and strong social message.

“Congratulations to Isa, Doreen, and the entire team on these well-deserved nominations,” said Humphrey Nabimanya, Executive Producer of the film and Founder of the iKON Awards. “At iKON, we celebrate storytellers who use their craft to address real-world issues and inspire change. This project truly reflects the kind of impactful filmmaking the industry needs.”

As Maama Wange continues to gain recognition on one of Uganda’s biggest film platforms, it underscores the growing influence of cinema in driving conversations around social justice and youth empowerment.