Maama Wange, a film developed under the 2023 iKON Young Filmmakers’ Fellowship, has secured nine nominations at the 2026 Uganda Film Festival, marking a major milestone for emerging Ugandan storytellers.
The social drama explores pressing issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and teenage pregnancy, telling the story of a single mother in the slums of Namuwongo navigating the aftermath of sexual assault.
The film is a product of the Young Filmmakers’ Fellowship, an initiative by Reach A Hand Uganda aimed at equipping young creatives with practical filmmaking skills through mentorship, masterclasses, and hands-on industry exposure.
Fellows are later supported with grants to produce films addressing critical social challenges.
Maama Wange was a collaborative project led by filmmakers Doreen Mirembe and Isa Masadde, and produced by Sauti Plus, an audiovisual production company.
The film is scheduled for its theatrical premiere on May 10, 2026—coinciding with Mother’s Day—at the Reach A Hand Uganda headquarters in Lungujja, Kampala.
To extend its reach beyond traditional cinema audiences, the film is also being screened through the Kwiso Mu Cinema initiative, which brings socially relevant Ugandan films to underserved urban communities and ghettos as a tool for awareness and behavioural change.
The latest nominations add to a growing list of accolades for the film, including Best Short Film at the iKON Awards and top honours at the 7th Kaduna International Film Festival in Nigeria.
It has also received international recognition, winning the Best Film About Kids category at the Black Cat Award International Film Festival in La Paz, Bolivia.
Humphrey Nabimanya, Executive Producer of the film and founder of the iKON Awards, praised the team for their achievement.
“Congratulations to Isa, Doreen, and the team on these well-deserved nominations. At iKON Awards, we celebrate storytellers who use their craft to address real-world issues and inspire change,” he said.
As Maama Wange continues to gain recognition on one of Uganda’s biggest film platforms, its success underscores the growing influence of film in shaping conversations around social justice, youth empowerment, and community transformation.