KAMPALA, Uganda: Four emerging Ugandan filmmakers are set to take a major step in their creative journeys. The group travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, on January 6, 2026, to join the prestigious MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy East Africa for a year-long advanced training programme in filmmaking. The training covers storytelling, cinematography, editing, audio, directing, producing, scriptwriting, and production management.
Namulya Giovanni Yona, Asiimire Owobushoborozi, Denzel Everd Maniple, and Mayiga Fredrick were selected for the programme, which is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most competitive film and television training initiatives. Its alumni have gone on to produce content commissioned across the continent. Their admission places them among a growing network of African creatives being groomed to shape the future of the continent’s creative industry.
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 approach reflects both technical depth and 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 whose professional experience spans set and costume design for 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, she maintains an active writing discipline, developing original projects that explore character, theme, and structure. Though still in development, these works reflect a sustained commitment to research-driven storytelling and creative growth. Asiimire was responsible for location scouting for her final class project titled 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 experience across feature films, television series, short films, and theatre productions, with strengths in storytelling, production management, and creative directing. His technical skills span scriptwriting, video editing, graphic design, photography, and marketing-driven content creation.
Denzel’s passion lies in using film, art, and media to tell compelling stories that connect with diverse audiences. He has starred in and contributed to various productions, including the short film Let’s Eat! by Aretee Studios Ltd, which he directed and executive produced. He also worked on the set of Sanyu as a Production Assistant during the show’s run.
Mayiga Fredrick completes the quartet with a strong grounding in journalism and mass communication, a background that 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. These high-pressure environments have sharpened his discipline, attention to detail, and collaborative skills, while his visual practice focuses on clarity, emotion, and narrative purpose.
Mayiga has honed his skills across various media enterprises, including Havas Hub and Sedesha Film Productions, where he worked as a Video Editor and Graphics Designer. His most recent role was as a Video Editor on Nation Media Group’s NTV programmes Sweet Treats and Tufumbe.
Prior to travelling to Nairobi, the students underwent filmmaking training in Kampala, where they received theoretical instruction. They will now proceed to Nairobi to kick-start the second phase of training, which focuses on the practical elements of the craft, ensuring hands-on experience and applied learning. Mayiga noted that the training has broadly exposed him to producing and directing processes, production workflows, and industry standards.
“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 PR and Communications Manager Rinaldi Jamugisa said MTF remains a critical 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 selection of Ugandan filmmakers continues to demonstrate 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.
