Four emerging Ugandan filmmakers have taken a major step in their creative journeys after travelling to Nairobi, Kenya, on January 6, 2026, to join the prestigious MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy East Africa.
The year-long programme offers advanced training in filmmaking, covering storytelling, cinematography, editing, audio production, directing, producing, scriptwriting, and production management.
The selected filmmakers—Namulya Giovanni Yona, Asiimire Owobushoborozi, Denzel Everd Maniple, and Mayiga Fredrick—were admitted into one of Africa’s most competitive film and television training initiatives. MTF alumni have gone on to produce content commissioned across the continent, placing the Ugandan cohort within a growing network of African creatives shaping the future of the industry.
Diverse Creative Backgrounds
Namulya Giovanni Yona is a filmmaker and theatre artist whose work spans sound design, directing, writing, and producing. With a strong foundation in audio drama, film, and stage, his storytelling blends technical depth with emotional resonance.
His credits include the acclaimed Ugandan audio dramas Her Dying Wish and Lagertha, where he served as editor, director, and co-executive producer. He also wrote and directed the short film The Weight of Passion. A graduate of Makerere University’s School of Liberal and Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Film, Namulya represents a new generation of Ugandan creatives pushing narrative boundaries across platforms.
Joining him is Asiimire Owobushoborozi, a production designer with professional experience in set and costume design for both creative and screen-based productions. Her work is grounded in visual storytelling, spatial design, and character development, with a strong emphasis on building cohesive visual worlds that support narrative intent.
In addition to her design practice, Asiimire maintains an active writing discipline, developing original projects that explore character, theme, and structure. She was responsible for location scouting for her final class project, Broken Clocks, and later worked as a Production Designer at Bliss 256 following her graduation.
Denzel Everd Maniple brings a multidisciplinary profile to the cohort as a filmmaker, director, writer, actor, and editor. He has worked across feature films, television series, short films, and theatre productions, with strengths in storytelling, production management, and creative direction.
His technical skills include scriptwriting, video editing, graphic design, photography, and marketing-driven content creation. Denzel has featured in several productions, including the short film Let’s Eat! by Aretee Studios Ltd, which he also directed and executive produced.
He additionally worked as a Production Assistant on the television series Sanyu.
Mayiga Fredrick completes the quartet with a strong background in journalism and mass communication, which informs his approach to purposeful and structured storytelling.
A video editor, cinematographer, and aspiring producer and director, Mayiga has hands-on experience in broadcast television and film production, contributing to nationally aired programmes and narrative projects. He has worked with Havas Hub and Sedesha Film Productions as a Video Editor and Graphics Designer, and most recently served as a Video Editor on Nation Media Group’s NTV programmes Sweet Treats and Tufumbe.
Prior to travelling to Nairobi, the filmmakers underwent intensive theoretical training in Kampala. The Nairobi phase marks the second stage of the programme, focusing on practical, hands-on training designed to immerse participants in real-world production environments.
Mayiga said the training has significantly broadened his understanding of the filmmaking process.
“The programme has deepened my understanding of story development, directing principles, production workflows, and professional standards. It has strengthened my ability to collaborate, lead creative processes, and think beyond editing into producing and directing,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, MultiChoice Uganda Public Relations and Communications Manager Rinaldi Jamugisa described MTF as a vital investment in Africa’s creative future.
“The MultiChoice Talent Factory is about more than skills training; it is about building a sustainable pipeline of African storytellers who can compete globally while telling authentic local stories,” Jamugisa said.
He added that the continued selection of Ugandan filmmakers reflects the country’s growing creative potential.
“Uganda has an incredible pool of young talent, and programmes like MTF give these creatives access to world-class mentorship, industry-standard equipment, and regional networks that are essential for career growth,” he noted.
