Hollywood superstar Omari Morocco shared his expertise with over 200 Ugandan filmmakers, actors, and actresses at an electrifying Acting Masterclass held at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) House in Kampala.
The masterclass, organized by Sauti Plus Media Hub and Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) in collaboration with the UCC, was part of the activities leading up to the prestigious iKON Awards on March 29, 2025.
During the session, Morocco emphasized the importance of dedication and creativity, urging young Ugandan filmmakers and actors to take bold steps in exploring their potential. “Acting is not just about passion; it is an art form that demands discipline, consistency, and a willingness to learn,” he stated.
Morocco encouraged actors and actresses to develop strong listening skills, emphasizing that active listening is essential for actors as it adds depth and authenticity to their performances. “A great Actor/Actress is a great listener. Listening is indeed a crucial skill for actors, allowing them to react truthfully in the moment, pick up on subtle cues from scene partners, and also bring depth to their performances,” he added.
While discussing character development, the Hollywood star emphasized the importance of actors fully immersing themselves in their roles, shedding their own identity. He stated that the audience should see the character, not the actor. “Acting is cool, don’t be caught Doing It. To truly bring a character to life, actors must fully embody the role, letting go of their own identity. When done correctly, the audience shouldn’t see the actor, only the character,” he said.
Morocco further stressed the importance of humility for actors, even after achieving stardom, cautioning them against misusing their fame. “Even if you become a star, it is important to stay humble and be human,” he added.
Renowned Ugandan actor Malaika Nyanzi highlighted the importance of events like the Acting Masterclass, stating that they provide Ugandan filmmakers with valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge with international filmmakers like Morocco.
Malaika expressed her belief that Ugandan actors don’t need to go to Hollywood, but rather, Hollywood should come to Uganda, asserting that Uganda is a hub of talent. She praised Morocco for his insightful lessons to young filmmakers, noting that these efforts will undoubtedly yield positive results.
Herman Namanya, a producer at Sauti Plus Media Hub and the head of production for the iKON Awards 2025, stated that in partnership with UCC, they aim to develop and elevate the film industry in Uganda. He added that by organizing events like the Masterclass, their primary objective is to equip filmmakers with essential skills.
Morocco revealed that his visit to Uganda is solely focused on contributing to the growth of the movie industry and promised to launch a project before the end of this year. “I think there are some incredible stories that need to be told. We have some ideas that we’re cooking up, but, you know, I can just say that there are a lot of writers and directors that I like that I hope we can bring these projects into fruition. So hopefully, we’ll have something that will shoot and be ready by the end of this year,” he added.
