Ken Ssebagala and Polly Kamukama's film Unheard emerged as the standout victor at this year’s iKon Awards, held at Serena Hotel Kampala on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. The gala was hosted by Anitah Fabiola and Ronnie MacVex, together with a lineup of presenters including Hellen Lukoma, Flavia Tumusiime, Malaika Nyanzi, Mariam Ndagire, Andrew Benon Kibuuka, Rhona Ninsima, Patriq Nkakalukanyi, Housen Mushema, and more. Unheard secured an impressive seven awards out of the eleven nominations it received.

The accolades that went to Unheard included the Best Film Award, Best Director Award, and Best Sound Award, which movie sound recordist Kaz Kasozi claimed. Additionally, the movie's lead actress, Jackline Katusiime, received the Best Actress in a Leading Role Award, while the Best Makeup and Special Effects Award went to industry newcomer Rose Lily Kebirungi still from the same movie. Francis Byaruhanga's work in production design was also recognized with the Best Production Design Award. The film also won the best emerging film Award. 

Another notable success story of the evening was The Passenger by Meddie Sserwadda, Hadijah Nankanjako, and Usama Mukwaya, which received four awards, along with The Kitara Chronicles, which clinched two awards.

In the television series, Damalie stood out by claiming two out of the three awards in this realm, winning the Best TV Series Award and Best Actress in a TV Series Award which went to Doreen Mirembe who also happens to be the series producer. The remaining Award went to Simon Base Kalema from Prestige. 

Nancy Isime at the iKon Awards 2024, Kampala Serena Hotel. Photo Credit. Julian/Cinema Ug

The glamorous event attracted personalities from diverse entertainment sectors, particularly from the film industries of Uganda and Nigeria. Notable Nigerian attendees included legendary actor Osita Iheme, popularly known as Paw Paw, who was honored with the African iKon Award. Ramsey Nouah, a returning guest from the inaugural iKon Awards, and Nancy Isime, awarded the Best Emerging Actor in Africa, also graced the occasion alongside other esteemed Nigerian actors and producers.

The event saw a diverse array of personalities, including musicians like Ykee Benda, fashion icons like Abraynz, and prominent radio and TV personalities like Keith Karuhura. Political representation was also evident, with the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development in attendance, representing the government's support for the arts and creative industries.

From Left: Mr. Joe Kigozi - Deputy CEO Next Media Group, Hon. Betty Amongi Akena - Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development at iKon Awards 2024 Serena Hotel Kampala. Photo Credit: Sauti Plus

Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Micheal Wawuyo Sr, a great moment shared with Mariam Ndagire, symbolizing their longstanding contributions to the film industry. The celebrations were further enriched by Micheal Wawuyo Jr joining his father on stage.

This year's performances added a vibrant dimension to the event, featuring traditional renditions of nominated content such as the Kikiga Soundtrack from Unheard and the Guma soundtrack from the TV series Beloved, showcasing diverse rich cultural heritage through electrifying dance and music performances.

Closing the night were nostalgic performances by seasoned artists like Queen Bella, Coco Finger, Young Mulo, Vampino, and Zigidi, along with dance acts from the Wembley Mo Foundation.

Here is the complete list of winners from the iKon Awards:

BEST FILM

• The Kitara Chronicles - Yiga Sadat, Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
• The Passenger - Meddy Sserwada, Hadijah Nakanjako
• Unheard - Polly Kamukama, Joseph Ken Ssebaggala - WINNER
• All for Love - Okurut Nego Paul

BEST DIRECTOR

• Joseph Ken Ssebaggala – Unheard - WINNER
• Hadijah Nakanjako - The Passenger
• Yiga Sadat - The Kitara Chronicles
• Patrick Lorimo - Maid of Honor

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

• Fauziah Nakiboneka - Maid of Honor
• Jackline Katusiime – Unheard - WINNER
• Rehema Mutesi - Ganyana
• Tania Shakirah Kankindi - All for Love

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

• Kenneth Rukundo - All for Love
• Fernando Kamugisha - The Fallen Advocate
• Henry Nathan Katongole - The Passenger - WINNER
• Masadde Isa Yusuf - The Kitara Chronicles

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• Joseph Kahirimbanyi - Unheard
• Mathew Kavuma - Maid of Honor
• Blair Koono – Enkuba - WINNER
• Sulait Mulimira - Ganyana

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• Edith Baganda - Maid of Honor
• Allen Musumba - The Passenger - WINNER
• Diana Kahunde - All for Love
• Florence Naiga - Ganyana

BEST DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

• The Fallen Advocate - Benson Kamau Muigai
• The Passenger - Izaek Ekuka - WINNER
• Unheard - Kitsha Kyasi Joseph
• The Kitara Chronicles - Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa

BEST SCREENPLAY

• The Kitara Chronicles by Yiga Sadat, Masadde Isa Yusuf
• The Passenger by Meddy Sserwada
• Maid of Honor by Patrick Lorimo - WINNER
• Unheard by Polly Kamukama

BEST SOUND

• Elly Musinguzi - Nkwanzi's Slip
• Simon Agola, Michael Kavuma - Maid of Honor
• Isiko Abubaker - The Passenger
• Kaz Kasozi – Unheard - WINNER

BEST EDITOR

• Emma Daka Waira - The Passenger - WINNER
• Joseph Ken Ssebaggala - Unheard
• Derrick Taremwa - Enkuba
• Okurut Nego Paul - All for Love

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

• Nabanja Hikmah, Lukwago Paluku, Tumusiime Jackie - The Kitara Chronicles - WINNER
• Kyosiima Ginny - Unheard
• Matilda Kavuma - Maid of Honor
• Julian Kirabo, Ali Musinguzi, Isaac Kyakoonye, Patricia Nabirye - The Tale of Our Times

BEST MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS

• Esther Nakaziba - Maid of Honor
• Rose Lily Kebirungi – Unheard - WINNER
• Lisa Sonia, Shadia Nakaddu, Cathy Kyokunda, Joana Nabakiibi - The Tale of Our Times
• Hikmah Nabbanja, Patience Nakibuka Shadia - The Kitara Chronicles

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

• Francis Byaruhanga – Unheard - WINNER
• Rutaro Abel - The Tale of Our Times
• Yiga Sadat - The Kitara Chronicles
• Imran Musabeh - The Passenger

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

• Cruz Abdullah, Faisal Mukalazi, Patrick Chris Black - The Tale of Our Times
• Tusingwire Alex - The Kitara Chronicles - WINNER
• Wavamuno Caeser, Suuna Abubakar – Enkuba

BEST SHORT FILM

• Taama - Arthur Nsubuga
• Ziwa - Samuel Tebandeke
• Building 62 - Hakim Zziwa - WINNER
• The Last Shoemaker - Ali Musoke

BEST DOCUMENTARY

• The Shadow Pandemic - Ssekandi Jimmy - WINNER
• The Land of Peace - Ali Kibirige, Herbert Jjuuko, James Twino
• Dear Queen - Jamir Jamal Musenze

BEST ANIMATION FILM

• The Guardian - Denis Junior Dhikusooka
• Herderboy - Raymond Malinga - WINNER
• Lost - Ashiraf Mulima

BEST TV SERIES

• Prestige - Nathan Magoola
• Damalie - Doreen Mirembe - WINNER
• Beloved - Nathan Magoola

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES

• Raymond Rushabiro - Prestige
• Dennis Kinani – Damalie
• Symon Base Kalema – Prestige - WINNER

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES

• Doreen Mirembe – Damalie - WINNER
• Sally Elizabeth Bwamimpeke - Prestige
• Faith Kirabo - Beloved

BEST STUDENT FILM

• Find Me Online - Brian "Vons" Mukisa
• I Sold Me Out - Lubeera Saphina
• Scold's Bridle - Ssemwogerere Nurudeen
• Silent Scream - Otim Gerald - WINNER

IKON RISING STAR

• Faith Kirabo
• Joseph Kahirimbanyi
• King Missy Ochola – WINNER

IKON RISING STAR – AFRICA - Nancy Isime

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT - Michael Wawuyo Sr.

By Martin Kabagambe