The team behind the iKON Awards and SautiPlus has met with Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), to officially unveil the iKON Awards 2026 and share the next chapter of their vision, themed “Going Beyond Borders.”
The high-level engagement underscored the growing partnership between Uganda’s creative industry leaders and national institutions like the UCC.
The discussion centered on how the iKON Awards can further strengthen innovation, cultural exchange, and cross-border collaborations within Africa’s film and creative sectors.
During the meeting, the iKON team presented the platform’s progress in expanding its regional influence, notably highlighting the recent success of iKON Activate in Nigeria — a milestone that signals the awards’ growing continental footprint.
According to the iKON Awards team, such strategic conversations with regulatory and development institutions are key to building sustainable frameworks for the creative economy. The partnership aims to amplify Ugandan talent, provide global visibility for local content, and position the country as a regional hub for film excellence.
Thembo expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, recognising the role of creative platforms like the iKON Awards in driving innovation and shaping narratives that resonate beyond Uganda’s borders.
“The alignment between the UCC and iKON Awards presents an opportunity to promote creative diversity and strengthen the ecosystem that supports filmmakers and storytellers,” he noted.
The iKON Awards, which have become one of East Africa’s leading celebrations of film and media excellence, continue to expand their scope through training, mentorship, and international collaborations.
With the “Going Beyond Borders” theme, the 2026 edition seeks to celebrate not only Ugandan creators but also the broader African creative movement, fostering connections that push the continent’s storytelling to new heights.