Under the sparkling lights of the Acholi Inn Hotel, Northern Uganda witnessed an unforgettable celebration of storytelling, culture, and creative resilience as the Northern Uganda Film Awards (NUFA) 2025 unfolded in all its glory. It was not just a night of awarding excellence; it was a night of affirming Northern Uganda’s unwavering spirit, rich culture, and cinematic dreams.

The Acholi Inn Upper Hall was a hive of energy, packed to capacity with filmmakers, dignitaries, fans, and creative minds from all corners of the region and beyond. This year’s edition, hosted with brilliance by the Northern Uganda Filmmakers Association (NUFA), once again proved why the awards are considered the crowning jewel of the region’s film industry.

The Northern Uganda Filmmakers Association (NUFA) is a fully registered organization with URSB, uniting filmmakers from across Northern Uganda. NUFA’s mission centers on film development, capacity building, promotion, and advocating for policies that drive progress within the film sector, while also creating opportunities for the broader community.

NUFA envisions transforming Northern Uganda through cinema by showcasing local stories that preserve and share the region’s rich cultural heritage with the world. The Association’s work celebrates diversity and brings together all the subregions: West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. Northern Uganda’s people possess a deep-rooted cultural identity with unique beliefs, customs, and artistic expressions and through the art of film, NUFA captures and elevates these vibrant traditions.

The 2025 ceremony stood as a testament to the hard work, passion, and collaborative spirit of the organizing team led by Francis Ojok Odong, President of NUFA. In his heartfelt opening speech, Ojok thanked the numerous partners who made the night possible: Q FM Lira, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Kakebe Technologies, Luo Foundation, and many more whose support made the night a resounding success.

"This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our esteemed partners. We would love to see this event last forever," Ojok said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The presence of high-ranking guests such as Hon. Betty Amongi (Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development), Ambassador Dr. Olara Otunnu, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, and Prof. Okaka Dokotum highlighted the growing national significance of the event.

Leonard Amanya of UCC perfectly summed up the spirit of the evening: "We are celebrating not just the talents of creatives, but the power of resilience. Your work is not just entertainment; it is a mirror to the community."

In a moving keynote address, Minister Amongi praised the filmmakers for their initiative in creating employment and preserving cultural heritage. She announced a transformative policy initiative a UGX 3 billion fund dedicated to supporting the creative industries at a low 6% interest rate, modeled after the Parish Development Model.

In a personal show of support, she pledged UGX 5 million toward NUFA 2026, cementing the government’s commitment to the future of Northern Uganda’s creative economy.

As the curtains fell on NUFA 2025, a powerful message lingered in the air — the best is yet to come for Northern Uganda’s filmmakers. Through their lenses, the region’s rich narratives are finding new life and new audiences, not just locally, but potentially on the world stage.

With strong institutional support, growing public interest, and unstoppable creative energy, the dream of seeing Northern Uganda’s stories on platforms like Hollywood no longer seems distant; it feels inevitable.

To the filmmakers, organizers, partners, and all the visionaries behind NUFA: Northern Uganda celebrates you. Your voices matter, your stories matter, and your dreams are shaping the future.