Filmmaker Kabogozza’s stories that captivate and win awards

By Michael Ainomugisha

As a child, when Brian Kabogozza sneaked out of his grandmother’s house to watch movies on a neighbor’s black-and-white television, he would never have imagined that one day, he would be the one making films that screen at international festivals.

Now he is doing just that. And winning awards for the movies as well.

Take the example of his latest short film, Dinner For Three, which won Best Student Film at the Uganda Film Festival, Best International Director at the Malawi International Film Festival, Best Student Film in the Kaduna International Film Festival in Nigeria and recognition at festivals in Kenya and South Africa.

Brian Kabogozza displays some of the awards he has won for his outstanding work as a film director.

At the Uganda Film Festival, organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), where Dinner For Three won the Best Student Film, Kabogozza did not even attend the awards gala.

“I was working on another project and thought: ‘There’s no way we’ll win.’ I sent my friends to represent me, and they called, saying, ‘Kabogozza, we’ve won!’ I couldn’t believe it,” Kabogozza said during a late October interview.

“For the UCC-organised film festival, the competition is always tough; we had submitted films before, My Background, My Degree, and My First Year  and they didn’t get nominated. So, this win felt like grace,” he explains.

“People from different countries have reached out, asking me to turn Dinner For Three into a feature film. It’s amazing how something small you do from a classroom can grow into something global.” 

And the recognitions also have come from Kabogozza ’s university. At the Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduation ceremony on October 24, 2025, the 26-year-old was recognised by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, as one of the outstanding students whose creative work, Mushengyezi said, has raised the university’s profile.

Kabogozza is preparing to return to UCU in 2026 to complete his degree. He had given the course a pause  so he could get his film project to the next level.

“I have to come back and complete that degree next year,” he affirmed. Kabogozza is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication.

Early life

Kabogozza, the second of four children, was born in Bweyogerere, near Kampala. When life at home became difficult, his grandmother stepped in and took him to live with her in Mukono.

At Cornerstone Junior School in Mukono, the young Kabogozza discovered drama.

“I always looked forward to school concert days; I would act as Joseph, the foster father of Jesus or as Jesus himself. That’s where I first felt that storytelling was something I loved,” he recalls.

After his grandmother’s death while in Senior Two at Namilyango College, Kabogozza’s life changed dramatically. He moved in with his uncle, Edward Lwanga, whose home became his new base of support. Alongside Lwanga, other family members, such as his uncles Moses Bbosa and Jude Khasabo, as well as elder brother Patrick Kivumbi, have played a vital role in supporting him.

At his uncle’s home, Kabogozza discovered something that would reignite his passion – a camera.

“My uncle always used it for family videos. I was fascinated by it,” says Kabogozza.

“One day, I took it to school. We shot some small clips, but when the school found out, they almost expelled me,” he recalled. “Then the headmaster saw the videos and said, ‘This is good work.’ That’s the first time I heard the term ‘shooting a movie’.” 

Despite facing academic setbacks and having to repeat classes, Kabogozza’s creative spirit has never dimmed.

“I was not the best student in class, but I knew I had something else to offer,” he says.

After completing high school, Kabogozza dreamed of studying law. “I wanted to be a lawyer because I felt life had been unfair to me, but my heart was already drawn to film,” he admits. 

When he heard about Uganda Christian University and its Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication course, something clicked.

Brian Kabogozza (right) poses with friends after wrapping up a movie shoot.

“I saw that journalism had elements of storytelling, cameras, and editing. So, I joined UCU, and that’s where everything started to make sense.”

UCU became more than a university for Kabogozza; it became his training ground. Though the university doesn’t have a full film school, the journalism programme offers practical media production, and students are encouraged to use the available equipment creatively.

“UCU gave us the freedom to experiment,” Kabogozza explains. 

“We didn’t have a lot, but the university allowed us to use what was there: cameras, editing labs, and classmates who shared the same dream.”

He remembers how staff members like Mark Maliko and Richard Ssekitoleko from the eLearning Department and John Semakula and Geoffrey Ssenoga from the School of Journalism, Media and Communication became instrumental in his journey. 

“They trusted us with equipment,” he said. “Without that, we wouldn’t have made our earlier films.”.

With a group of fellow students, Kabogozza started creating short films on campus. Their earlier works, My Degree, My Background, My First Year, and Perfect Lie, were produced using borrowed gear and on a shoestring budget. Yet, these films went on to earn nominations at the Ikon Awards in Uganda and screenings abroad.

Today, Kabogozza, alongside friends like Emma, Ivan and Conrad, continues to work on new creative projects and mentors younger filmmakers through his initiative called ‘“Film Chat,”’ which supports young storytellers with training and collaboration opportunities.

“I want to help others like me who have the passion, but not the means,” he said. “You can make it with little if you believe in yourself and use what’s around you.”

Asked what advice he would give to young people pursuing creative dreams, Kabogozza says: “Start with what you have; don’t wait for everything to be perfect. I began with a borrowed camera and friends who believed in me. You don’t need much; you need passion, faith, and hard work.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.