Ikon Awards: Nancy Isime, Osita Iheme Wins Africa's Rising Star, African Ikon Award

Osita Iheme and Nancy Isime

Renowned Nollywood stars Nancy Isime and Osita Iheme, have garnered global recognition for their acting prowess, winning Africa’s Rising Star and African Ikon Award respectively at the recent concluded Ikon Awards.

The ceremony took place at the Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, where the iKon Awards, a flagship initiative of SAUTIplus Media Hub, celebrated transformational thought leaders, implementers, and personalities in the realm of Film, Television, and Mainstream Media across Africa.

The iKon – Film & Television initiative seeks to recognize and reward individuals who have made significant contributions to the African entertainment industry, fostering innovation, creativity, and positive change.

Recently, Nancy Isime was honoured at the Ikon Awards in Uganda, where she was named Africa’s Rising Star.

This accolade holds remarkable weight as it acknowledges her outstanding talent among all African actors.

Taking to Instagram to express her gratitude, Isime emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s roots on the path to international success.

She thanked the Ikon Awards and Uganda for the recognition, highlighting her pride in being Nigerian and African.

Nancy Isime wrote,

“AFRICA RISING STAR In order to achieve world dominance, one must first dominate their roots.

“One step at a time, One day at a time, One Intentional Seed at a time. Soon, the Global Stage will be home to Us, it Proudly Nigerian, Proudly African Va; Thank you @ikonawards, Thank you Uganda God remains the Greatest”.

Also, a renowned Nigerian actor. Osita Iheme, famously known for his role as Pawpaw in the iconic film “Aki na Ukwa,” has been bestowed with the prestigious African iKon Award.

Iheme’s accolade highlights his outstanding impact and influence within the film and television landscape, not only in Nigeria but also across the continent.

Beyond his on-screen achievements, Iheme has demonstrated a commitment to empowering the youth through his organization, Inspired Movement Africa, which aims to inspire, motivate, and stimulate the minds of young Nigerians and Africans.

The Ikon Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) as a platform to recognise and celebrate innovation and creativity in Uganda’s film and television industry and supported by Sauti Plus Media Hub, UNESCO, Radiant, Uganda Airlines, Kampala Serena Hotel, Next Media, Divine Resort Mukono, Sozo Films, Coal360, ATS Events, Light For The world, Aquafina, Cinema UG, Uganda Key Populations Consortium, Media Challenge Initiative, Print Creations and Ramsey Films.

The awards were attended by special guests from Nigeria’s film industry, including Ramsey Nouah; Osite Iheme; Nancy Isime, Chris Odeh and Uche Ateli.

This year’s edition saw a total of 203 films and series submitted for nomination.

Gender Minister Amongi, who represented President Museveni, again made a case for intellectualy property rights.

“The President has asked that we enact a law to protect intellectual property from plagiarism. Secondly, we need to monetize the content. People have talked about shared collaboration with Nigeria. We saw Kenzo and Bobi Wine get international nominations, and we are so proud of such people. So, it’s high time the government supported Ugandan talent. I thank the Ugandan youth who have occupied the international scene,” she said.

WINNERS
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
• Fenando 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

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Michael Wawuyo Sr.

Emerging Film Award

• Unheard

African Ikon Award

• Osita Iheme

March 25, 2024