By Our Reporter
In a move that could redefine how the world sees Uganda’s heritage, the Buganda Kingdom is exploring a partnership with filmmaker Mathew Nabwiso on Flames of Faith, his upcoming historical epic about Kabaka Mwanga and the Uganda Martyrs.
The potential partnership is the direct result of a strategic push by Ambassador Rosa Malango, the Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism and Trade, to elevate Community-Based Tourism by bridging the gap between the nation’s creative industry and its traditional institutions.
Leading a high-profile delegation comprising the Producers Guild of Uganda Board and iKON Film and Television Awards representatives, Amb. Malango met with the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, along with Owek. Anthony Wamala, Minister of Heritage, Palaces, Tombs, Tourism, and Security, and Owek. Robert Sserwanga, Minister of Youth, Sports, and the Arts at Bulange Mengo.
For Malango, the vision is clear: transforming local historical narratives into global cinema is a powerful way to draw international visitors directly into the communities where this history was made, thereby driving local economic transformation and cultural preservation.
Reflecting on the engagement, the Katikkiro publicly praised the initiative and its broader economic implications.
“I welcomed the initiative, noting that it is often difficult for people to understand places they have not experienced,” Owek. Mayiga stated in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “Film, therefore, offers a powerful platform to showcase Uganda’s true identity, values, and opportunities to the world.”
Flames of Faith promises to be deeply rooted in Uganda’s identity and is spearheaded by Nabwiso, a seasoned filmmaker renowned for award-winning local projects such as Sabotage, Rain, and Prickly Roses.
Today, with advocates like the iKON Awards and the Producers Guild working in tandem with Amb. Malango’s office, Ugandan filmmakers are becoming highly intentional about authentic local storytelling. This Mengo engagement builds on the Envoy’s strategy to leverage high-level cross-sector collaborations to turn Uganda’s rich heritage into a thriving, community-driven tourism engine.