By Our Reporter
The iKON Awards has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with legendary Ugandan actor Michael Wawuyo Sr. to feature in the Nigerian drama film called Dambe, powered by Ramsey Films, Sozo Films Limited, BRS Studios, and Sauti Plus Media Hub. Renowned Nollywood star Ramsey Nouah will direct the movie, underscoring the high-profile collaboration.
The signing ceremony took place at the Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) offices in Lungujja.
The MoU is part of the iKON Awards Exchange Programme between Uganda and Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry. The initiative aims to foster cross-border collaborations by giving Ugandan actors and filmmakers opportunities to work alongside their Nigerian counterparts.
Through the exchange programme, Ugandan talent will gain exposure to the broader African film market while strengthening cultural ties. Michael Wawuyo Sr., an iKON Lifetime Achievement Award winner and one of Uganda’s most prominent actors, will travel to Nigeria on 27th September 2025 to begin work on the project.
His casting in Dambe is a milestone that will see Uganda represented on the continental stage. The arrangement is powered by Sauti Plus, in partnership with the iKON Awards.
Speaking at the MoU signing, Michael Wawuyo Sr. commended the initiative. “I commend iKON and Sauti Plus for putting a new flavour into uplifting the film industry, which is tremendous,” he noted, and further emphasized the importance of collaboration as a major stepping stone to bolstering the industry.
Humphrey Nabimanya, Founder iKON Awards, and Chief Creative Officer Sautiplus Media Hub described the agreement as a dream realized. “We are passionate about building the next generation of filmmakers. One of our long-standing dreams was to see Ugandan actors featured in major films across the continent. This MoU marks a shift from simply visiting other markets to actively collaborating and co-producing. It opens doors for Ugandan talent to be exported to international markets, just as we see in music, where artists collaborate across borders.”
The signing of this MoU is also a prelude to iKON Activate, an upcoming activity under the iKON Awards banner designed to foster continental collaborations and grow Africa’s creative economy.
As part of the broader iKON Exchange Programme, a delegation of Ugandan filmmakers will travel to Lagos next weekend to learn, network, and collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts under iKON Activate.
The initiative is also a build-up to the iKON Awards 2026, where several Nollywood actors are expected to participate, further cementing the event’s continental scope.