Mediavision Academy and UCC Launch Regional Film Training in Northern Uganda

Beyond the Screen: Empowering the Next Generation of Northern Ugandan Filmmakers

Arua City Uganda, 16th March 2026.  As the global community celebrates International Women’s Month under the evocative 2026 theme, “Rights. Justice. Action.”, the air in Arua City is thick with more than just heat—it is charged with creative ambition. While “Action” is a staple command on a film set, Mediavision Academy is redefining the word as a mandate for social change.

Today marks the kickoff of the Regional Film Competition – Film Capacity Enhancement Programme 2026 for the Northern Region of Uganda. Hosted in Arua City, this intensive initiative is spearheaded by Mediavision Academy with the strategic support of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). The program isn’t just a workshop; it is a deliberate move to decentralize filmmaking skills and place the tools of cinematic storytelling into the hands of those often left in the shadows.

Rutaruuka Gonzaga-Gonza, senior officer Film, video and Cinematography at UCC opening the training.

Bridging the Gender Gap in a “Men’s Ecosystem”

For many women in the industry, the film world has long felt like a closed circuit. Ms. Hope Letasi, a seasoned actress from Arua who has graced the screen since 2012, notes that professional technical training has often been out of reach.

“It is the first-ever training I am attending of this kind,” Letasi shared on the opening day. “As an actress, this training will empower me most. This is the best way to continue to empower women so that we can be well-trained to overcome the challenges of integration in an industry often viewed as a men’s ecosystem.”

By mastering the technicalities behind the lens, women like Letasi are moving from being subjects of the story to being the architects of the narrative.

Hope Letasi (left) a participant from Arua City attending the training

A Holistic Approach: Technical Mastery and Positive Masculinity

The 4-day intensive program is designed to be a “boot camp” for the modern filmmaker, covering the entire lifecycle of a project through four critical modules:

  1. Script Development & Content Design: Crafting stories that resonate locally and globally.
  2. Film Production: Practical, hands-on experience with high-end equipment.
  3. Post-Production: The art of the edit and the final polish.
  4. Marketing, Distribution & Promotion: Ensuring Ugandan stories find their audience and turn a profit.

Crucially, the Academy recognizes that achieving gender justice requires a collective shift. To foster positive masculinity and a supportive professional environment, 20 male filmmakers are training alongside their female counterparts. This inclusive approach ensures that the “Action” taken today leads to a safer, more collaborative industry for everyone tomorrow.

Justus Barongo, the Video Editing facilitator guiding participants during a video editing session.

Building Capacity, One Region at a Time

Mediavision Academy’s mission extends beyond the borders of Kampala. By bringing this caliber of training to the Northern Region, the Academy and UCC are addressing the gap in regional representation. When local filmmakers are equipped with industry-standard knowledge, they don’t just make movies; they create jobs, preserve culture, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the Ugandan creative economy.

Lead Trainer  Nkambo Robert, facilitating the Cinematography session.

A New Script for the Future

As the cameras begin to roll in Arua, the narrative of Ugandan cinema is shifting. International Women’s Month 2026 will be remembered not just for the speeches made, but for the scripts written and the shots framed by newly empowered creators. By turning “Action” from a word into a reality, Mediavision Academy is ensuring that the future of African film is inclusive, justice-oriented, and undeniably powerful.

Written by Daniel Meboya Massamba, Strategic Communication Specialist