Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) has hosted the Leesu Film Festival to highlight the challenges faced by adolescent girls through storytelling and film as the country joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day.
The festival, held on March 7, 2026 at the organisation’s offices in Lungujja, Kampala, brought together young people, filmmakers, partners and advocates to screen short films created by young female filmmakers under the Leesu Fempower Initiative.
The films focused on issues affecting young women and girls, particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and provided a platform for young filmmakers to share real-life experiences and spark conversations around gender-based challenges in their communities.
A total of six short films were screened during the event: Village of Echoes by Nadia Mwebe, Dissolved in Sweets by Sandra Agricola, Still Standing by Driberayo Constance, The Get Away by Karungi Sheila, When It’s Me by Joy Athieno, and Chains of His Voice by Nabawanga Olivia.
Among the films, The Get Away and Dissolved in Sweets were recognised for their exceptional storytelling.
Dissolved in Sweets explores the hidden dangers behind the sugarcane fields of Kamuli District in Busoga, portraying a setting that appears peaceful but conceals darker realities.
“This is a real-life story of one of my relatives who was raped in the sugarcane,” said Sandra Agricola, the film’s producer.
The Get Away follows a weekend reunion among friends that gradually unravels long-buried secrets. What begins as a nostalgic gathering quickly turns tense when hidden truths emerge, forcing the group to confront trauma, betrayal and manipulation.
Speaking at the event, Reach A Hand Uganda Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Nabimanya said the Leesu initiative was created after the organisation realised that young women’s voices were often missing from broader discussions about women’s issues.
“The Leesu project began as a way to highlight women’s issues, but we realized young women’s voices were often missing. Leesu focuses on them, giving them a platform to tell their own stories," Nabimanya said.
"Most cases of gender-based violence affect young women, and films like Dissolved in Sweets reflect real experiences that continue to linger in Busoga. These stories spark conversations, raise awareness, and inspire action."
Filmmakers and industry leaders also used the platform to encourage more women to join the film industry and use storytelling as a tool for social change.
Dr Jessica Ahibisibwe, a member of the Uganda Producers Guild, noted that filmmaking requires resilience but can offer opportunities for women seeking economic empowerment.
“Film is a lonely journey with lots of rejection, but it is also full of opportunity. No one will hand you a silver platter, you have to create it yourself through skill and determination,” she said.
Nana Kagga, Vice President of the Uganda Producers Guild, said the industry remains largely male-dominated and called for more women to take leadership roles in film production.
“I believe women are more powerful storytellers than men because we bring perspectives men cannot. Film remains largely male-dominated. We must normalize more women producers next year and encourage more women to occupy these spaces,” Kagga said.
The conversations at the festival come at a time when adolescent health and rights remain a major concern in Uganda.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one in four girls aged 15–19 in Uganda is either pregnant or already a mother.
Organisers said amplifying the voices of young women is critical in addressing these challenges and promoting informed choices around health, education and economic opportunity.
The festival also served as a platform for the launch of the “Empowering Her Choice” campaign, a joint initiative by Reach A Hand Uganda and Simply Hers aimed at increasing stigma-free access to sexual and reproductive health products.
Through the Simply Hers website, the campaign seeks to improve access to products such as condoms and lubricants while encouraging open conversations about sexual health among young people.
Reach A Hand Uganda is a youth-led non-profit organisation that focuses on empowering young people through advocacy, awareness campaigns and community engagement around issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, mental health, gender equality and economic empowerment.
