Kampala, Uganda – The highly anticipated iKON Awards are back for their third edition, promising a night of glamour and celebration of excellence in Uganda’s film and television industry. Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) and Sauti Plus officially launched the prestigious annual event at Serena Hotel, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place on March 29, 2025.
The iKON Awards have rapidly become a highlight in Uganda’s entertainment calendar, honoring outstanding talent in the local film industry and promoting storytelling that addresses critical social issues. This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better, with an increased number of nominees in each category, reflecting the improved quality of films in the industry.
According to Usama Mukwaya, Director of Operations at iKON Inspire Foundation, the number of nominee slots has been increased from four to five in all categories. “We’ve had an impressive number of submissions, and we’re excited to announce the nominees in January next year,” Mukwaya said.
The awards ceremony has gained recognition beyond Uganda’s borders, with Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda, revealing that the iKON Awards are widely recognized in Nigeria’s film industry. “In Nigeria, they love the iKON Awards more than we do here in Uganda. They’re eager to collaborate with us, and we see this as an opportunity to learn from them and grow our industry,” Nabimanya said.
Nabimanya emphasized the importance of collaboration in growing Uganda’s film industry. “We need to partner with established industries like Nigeria’s to learn from them and work together. That’s how we’ll win. We’re in the game of winning, and we can only win together,” he said.
The iKON Awards have become a key platform for recognizing the hard work of actors, directors, producers, and other creative professionals whose contributions are shaping Uganda’s film and TV landscape. The event has also been praised for promoting storytelling that addresses critical social issues.
The launch event featured a vintage night theme, bringing together industry legends and rising stars to celebrate the magic of the 1990s. The nostalgic tribute to oldies and pop music of the era set the tone for a night of celebration and anticipation for the upcoming awards ceremony.
With the nominees set to be announced in January, the countdown to the iKON Awards has begun. The event promises to be a spectacular celebration of Uganda’s film and television industry, and fans are eagerly awaiting the big night. As Nabimanya noted, “The iKON Awards are more than just a celebration of achievements; they’re a recognition of the transformative power of stories.”