This year’s winners will be determined by votes from members of the iKon Awards Academy.
By Helena Olori
The nominees for the second edition of the iKon Awards were announced on Friday, January 26th, 2024 in a live broadcast event hosted by Ugandan film director, John Segawa, and actress, Rachael Nduhukire.
The awards, launched last year, and fast becoming one of the most anticipated film events in Uganda, recognise and reward the industry’s emerging and exceptional talents and organisations “who embody the spirit of creativity, innovation and enterprise” across 32 categories, as well as track outstanding content that impacts millions of livelihoods.
Leading the nominees is Polly Kamukama’s women emancipation-themed drama, Unheard, with 12 nods in major categories including the most coveted title of “Best Film”. The film, which premiered in October 2023, narrates the story of a young widow in rural southwestern Uganda who stuns her village when she defies a strict cultural norm in a bid to fend for her family. Unheard is one of the 4 beneficiaries of the Content Development Support Programme initiated by the Uganda Communications Commission to develop high-quality content in Uganda.
Following closely is Yiga Sadat’s directed adventure, The Kitara Chronicles, with 9 nominations. The epic tale of heroism, love, and justice previously won the Viewers’ Choice Award at the 2023 Uganda Film Festival and received an AMAA nomination for Best Film in an Indigenous Language in 2023.
Winners for each category will be determined by votes by the ikon Awards Academy comprised of last year’s winners. The awards ceremony is slated to be held on Saturday 23rd March, 2024 at the Kampala Serena Hotel and will be broadcast live on NBS Television.
Here are all the nominees for this year’s edition.
BEST FILM
The Kitara Chronicles – Yiga Sadat, Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
The Passenger – Meddy Sserwada, Hadijah Nakanjako
Unheard – Polly Kamukama, Joseph Ken Ssebaggala
All for Love – Okurut Nego Paul
BEST DIRECTOR
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard
Hadijah Nakanjako – The Passenger
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Patrick Lorimo – Maid of Honour
BEST SCREENPLAY
The Kitara Chronicles by Yiga Sadat, Masadde Isa Yusuf
The Passenger by Meddy Sserwada
Maid of Honour by Patrick Lorimo
Unheard by Polly Kamukama
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Fauziah Nakiboneka – Maid of Honour
Jackline Katusiime – Unheard
Rehema Mutesi – Ganyana
Tania Shakirah Kankindi – All for Love
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Kenneth Rukundo – All for Love
Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate
Henry Nathan Katongole – The Passenger
Masadde Isa Yusuf – The Kitara Chronicles
BEST DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The Fallen Advocate – Benson Kamau Muigai
The Passenger – Izaek Ekuka
Unheard – Kitsha Kyasi Joseph
The Kitara Chronicles – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Joseph Kahirimbanyi – Unheard
Mathew Kavuma – Maid of Honour
Blair Koono – Enkuba
Sulait Mulimira – Ganyana
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Edith Baganda – Maid of Honour
Allen Musumba – The Passenger
Diana Kahunde – All for Love
Florence Naiga – Ganyana
BEST SOUND
Elly Musinguzi – Nkwanzi’s Slip
Simon Agola, Michael Kavuma – Maid of Honour
Isiko Abubaker – The Passenger
Kaz Kasozi – Unheard
BEST EDITOR
Emma Daka Waira – The Passenger
Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard
Derrick Taremwa – Enkuba
Okurut Nego Paul – All for Love
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Nabanja Hikmah, Lukwago Paluku, Tumusiime Jackie – The Kitara Chronicles
Kyosiima Ginny – Unheard
Matilda Kavuma – Maid of Honour
Julian Kirabo, Ali Musinguzi, Isaac Kyakoonye, Patricia Nabirye – The Tale of Our Times
BEST MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
Esther Nakaziba – Maid of Honour
Rose Lily Kebirungi – Unheard
Lisa Sonia, Shadia Nakaddu, Cathy Kyokunda, Joana Nabakiibi – The Tale of Our Times
Hikmah Nabbanja, Patience Nakibuka Shadia – The Kitara Chronicles
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Francis Byaruhanga – Unheard
Rutaro Abel – The Tale of Our Times
Yiga Sadat – The Kitara Chronicles
Imran Musabeh – The Passenger
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Cruz Abdullah, Faisal Mukalazi, Patrick Chris Black – The Tale of Our Times
Tusingwire Alex – The Kitara Chronicles
Wavamuno Caeser, Suuna Abubakar – Enkuba
BEST SHORT FILM
Taama – Arthur Nsubuga
Ziwa – Samuel Tebandeke
Building 62 – Hakim Zziwa
The Last Shoemaker – Ali Musoke
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Shadow Pandemic – Ssekandi Jimmy
The Land of Peace – Ali Kibirige, Herbert Jjuuko, James Twino
Dear Queen – Jamir Jamal Musenze
BEST ANIMATION FILM
The Guardian – Denis Junior Dhikusooka
Herderboy – Raymond Malinga
Lost – Ashiraf Mulima
BEST TV SERIES
Prestige – Nathan Magoola
Damalie – Doreen Mirembe
Beloved – Nathan Magoola
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES
Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige
Dennis Kinani – Damalie
Symon Base Kalema – Prestige
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES
Doreen Mirembe – Damalie
Sally Elizabeth Bwamimpeke – Prestige
Faith Kirabo – Beloved
BEST STUDENT FILM
Find Me Online – Brian “Vons” Mukisa
I Sold Me Out – Lubeera Saphina
Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere Nurudeen
Silent Scream – Otim Gerald
iKON RISING STAR
Faith Kirabo
Joseph Kahirimbanyi
King Missy Ochola