Glamour as 2025 iKON Awards climax in style

It was all glamour over the weekend at Kampala Serena Hotel as iKon Awards has announced the  winners of the edition.

The awards night was highlighted by embracing African culture with stunning African glamour all around, awarding Nigerian film stars, Kanayo O Kanayo and Patience Ozokwor with the African Ikon of the year accolades – celebrating influential figures in African cinema.

The African Ikon of the Year awards were presented by Humphrey Nabimanya, founder of the iKon Awards accompanied by Ramsey Nouah as well as Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo, George Kigozi, Board Member, Reach A Hand Uganda, the Presidential Advisor on Creatives, Eddy Kenzo, and Talent African CEO, Aly Allibhai.

While delivering his award acceptance speech for African iKons award, Kanayo encouraged filmmakers to keep pursuing the film industry, emphasizing that it is a growing avenue for investment.

“Wherever you go in the world, Nigeria stands tall. When you board a flight from Uganda to New York, you watch Nigerian movies on Netflix, Showmax, and in cinemas. What does that tell you? Film is the new oil. We have achieved this in Nigeria, and Uganda can do the same by collaborating and building strong partnerships,” he said as Patience  Ozokwo encouraged women to take up the film industry.

Meanwhile, Mathew Nabwiso explained that the Uganda Film Producers Guild is a platform to

collaborate and advocate for the betterment of film in Uganda.

Here is the full list of winners

● BEST FILM

Makula, NISHA KALEMA

● BEST DIRECTOR

Nisha Kalema, Dan Mugisha, MAKULA

● BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Issa Massade Yusuf, SOCCER HEART

● BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Pelly Peninah Nampanga, MARIA

● BEST SCREENPLAY

MAKULA, Nisha Kalema

● BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Alex Ireeta, Soccer Heart

● BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Bwanika Baale Felix – SSEKUKKULU

● BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Nana Kagga – MARIA

● BEST TV SERIES

SANYU, Mathew Nabwiso

● BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES

Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga, SANYU

● BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES

Diana Nabatanzi, JDC

● BEST COSTUME DESIGN

MARIA, Tazibone Solomon

● BEST MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS

THE LIONS OF BUGANDA, Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, Latifah Nabatanzi, Rutaro Abell

● BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

MAKULA, Imran Musabbeh

● BEST SOUND DESIGN

KARAMOJA, Isiko Abubaker

● BEST EDITING

SOCCER HEART, Kizito Sudaisy Sebowa

● BEST ANIMATION FILM

KATALEYA, Denis Junior Dhikusooka

● BEST DOCUMENTARY

A HISTORY OF FILM IN UGANDA, Timothy Niwamanya

● BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

THE LIONS OF BUGANDA, Patrick Chris Black, Faysal Mukalazi

● BEST SHORT FILM

JIMBI, Tusabe Ivan

● BEST STUDENT FILM

THE CHICKEN THIEF, Enock Timothy Jjemba

● EMERGING FILM AWARD

SSEKUKKULU – Sharon Ishimwe

● IKON RISING STAR

Iradukunda Rebecca Hope

● LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga

● IKON RISING STAR – AFRICA

Liyabona Mroqoza

● AFRICAN IKON AWARD

Patience Ozokwor and Kanayo O. Kanayo

● IKON FELLOWSHIP – FILM OF THE YEAR