Nyege Nyege Festival organisers have visited Wakaliwood, the home of Uganda’s low-budget action films, in Wakaliga, Rubaga, to celebrate the creativity and resourcefulness behind the country’s film industry ahead of this year’s festival in November.
The visit to Ramon Film Productions, founded by filmmaker Isaac G.G. Nabwana, offered the delegation a glimpse into how locally made props, costumes and improvised equipment have helped Wakaliwood develop a distinctive style that has attracted audiences beyond Uganda.
Roy Tumwizere, Senior Brand Manager for Mainstream Spirits at Uganda Breweries Limited, said the visit was part of efforts to celebrate Ugandan creativity and promote local cultural attractions to international audiences.
“As we invite the world to celebrate the Spirit of Ugandan creativity at this year’s Nyege Nyege Festival, we decided to stop by a true home of artistic ingenuity taking our nation’s storytelling beyond our borders—so here we are in Wakaliga today,” Tumwizere said.
During the tour, the visitors explored the original filming locations, costumes and props used in Wakaliwood productions. Among the items on display was “Maria”, a locally welded, improvised automatic machine gun featured in the viral film Who Killed Captain Alex?
The delegation also saw the studio’s collection of memorabilia, including its Wall of Death, which bears the signatures of people who have died on screen in Wakaliwood films.
Nabwana explained that although the studio’s work has gained international recognition, it remains committed to telling distinctly Ugandan stories and maintaining the unconventional filmmaking style that made it famous.
He said the studio’s handmade props, locally assembled equipment and approach to action filmmaking continue to define its identity.
“For us, action, fun and laughter remain the universal language we have spoken since we started,” Nabwana said.
He added that Wakaliwood was looking forward to using the expanded Nyege Nyege platform to showcase more Ugandan creativity to international visitors at Kalagala Falls, where the festival will take place.
Mzee Isaac Bwanika, secretary of Pearlwood, the umbrella organisation for Uganda’s filmmakers, said events such as Nyege Nyege could create opportunities for local creatives to reach wider audiences and generate economic value from their work.
He encouraged Ugandan filmmakers and other artists to use the festival to tell their stories through authentic local perspectives, citing Wakaliwood as an example of how homegrown creativity can stand out internationally.
Nyege Nyege co-founder Derek Debru said this year’s festival would offer 96 hours of non-stop entertainment, including a dedicated film zone with camping facilities provided by Adrift.
The festival’s co-organisers, Talent Africa Group, also said the ‘So Ug’ Stage would showcase Ugandan music and performers, including Maro, Etania, Linus, King Saha and The Zonke Collective, alongside other local acts.
Uganda Waragi, which is supporting the celebration of local culture, said the festival would bring together Ugandans and international visitors to experience the country’s music, art and creative talent.
