By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda’s screen acting industry is taking a significant step toward greater unity, professionalism and representation following a strategic meeting of the Screen Actors’ Guild Uganda at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), Nakawa.
The meeting brought together players in the screen acting industry to discuss the official launch of the Guild, unveil its leadership and lay out plans for regional expansion. The initiative seeks to create a more inclusive platform for screen actors across Uganda while strengthening representation and professional development within the industry.
A key message from the meeting was the need for actors to remain prepared for opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive.
Drama Educator, Casting Director and Casting Coach Douglas Kasule challenged actors to take their careers seriously by maintaining updated headshots, CVs and showreels, while also investing in a professional self-tape setup. He encouraged performers to continuously sharpen skills such as cold reading, monologues, character analysis and improvisation.
Kasule urged actors to think beyond securing their next role and instead focus on building sustainable careers.
“Every production should add to your skills, network, showreel and credibility,” he emphasized.
He also reminded actors that the period between productions should not be viewed as downtime. Instead, it can be used for training, creating independent projects, attending industry festivals, refreshing promotional materials, expanding professional networks and studying film techniques.
According to Kasule, talent may open the door, but preparation and professionalism determine whether an actor continues to get hired. Punctuality, preparation, the ability to take direction, respect for every crew department and practical problem-solving, he noted, are essential qualities for building lasting careers.
The discussions come as the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) returns from August 21 to 28, 2026. Organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the festival brings together filmmakers and audiences for film screenings, workshops, industry forums and networking opportunities.
The festival will culminate in the UFF 2026 Awards Gala on August 28, celebrating outstanding talent, creativity and achievements in Ugandan cinema.
For Uganda’s screen actors, the message is clear: the industry is growing, opportunities are emerging, and preparation could make the difference when the next big opportunity comes. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
