On an evening filled with emotion, reflection, and celebration, Reach A Hand Africa transformed Mother’s Day into something far deeper than flowers and tributes. The red carpet premiere of Maama Wange on May 10, 2026, brought together filmmakers, health advocates, creatives, and mothers for an evening that reminded everyone in attendance why stories rooted in truth continue to matter.
Held at Reach A Hand headquarters in Lugujja, a Kampala suburb, the premiere carried the warmth of a family gathering and the weight of a national conversation. From the moment guests arrived on the red carpet, the atmosphere felt intentional. Every speech, every embrace, and every applause pointed back to the same message: mothers carry generations through sacrifice, often without recognition.
At the center of the evening stood Maama Wange, a film that has steadily grown from a small fellowship project into one of Uganda’s most celebrated social impact productions. However, beyond the awards and nominations, the film’s emotional core made the strongest impression. The story reaches into the realities of motherhood, resilience, illness, survival, and the quiet battles many women endure while holding families together.
Writer and producer Doreen Mirembe delivered one of the most heartfelt moments of the night when she revealed that the film draws directly from her life with her mother. Speaking with visible emotion, she described Maama Wange as “a love letter to all mothers.” Her words immediately shifted the room from admiration to deep reflection.
She thanked her mother for the sacrifices and unconditional love that shaped her journey. At the same time, she thanked audiences for continuing to support Ugandan film, especially stories that reflect authentic lived experiences. Her remarks also traced the journey of the film back to 2022, when the idea first began taking shape through the iKON Young Filmmakers Fellowship Programme before evolving into the powerful feature film audiences now celebrate.
Executive producer and CEO Reach A Hand Uganda Humphrey Nabimanya reflected on the deeply personal inspiration behind the project. He shared that the story draws inspiration from his sister, who raised and supported him while battling HIV/AIDS for 36 years. Through that experience, he witnessed firsthand the resilience many mothers and caregivers embody every single day.
“The story is inspired by my sister, who mothered me as she battled HIV/AIDS for 36 years,” he explained. “We believe there are so many mothers who sacrifice a lot to survive.”
His tribute gave the evening another emotional layer. Rather than presenting motherhood as a distant ideal, the film and its creators grounded it in survival, endurance, and everyday courage.
The premiere also attracted notable figures from Uganda’s health, film, and advocacy spaces. Among those in attendance were Dr. Roseline Achola, Technical Advisor for Selfcare, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Family Planning at the Ministry of Health, senior citizen Dr. Maggie Kigozi, and veteran filmmaker and musician Halima Namakula. Their presence reflected the growing connection between art and social advocacy in Uganda.
Meanwhile, several organizations championing maternal health also attended the event, including Set Her Free, Babies and Mothers Alive Foundation, and The Remnant Generation. Their participation reinforced the film’s wider mission beyond entertainment.
During her remarks, Dr. Roseline Achola applauded Reach A Hand Africa for consistently creating platforms that address teenage pregnancy and maternal health challenges among young people. She noted that the organization continues to expand its advocacy efforts in innovative ways, and film now offers another powerful channel for reaching communities and inspiring conversations.
As the evening unfolded, it became increasingly clear that Maama Wange represents more than cinematic success. The film symbolizes the growing confidence of Uganda’s creative industry in telling stories that are personal, socially conscious, and globally relevant at the same time.
Originally developed through the iKON Young Filmmakers Fellowship Programme in 2023, the project first emerged as a short film. Soon after, it began attracting attention across film festivals and award platforms. The production went on to win Best iKON Fellows Short Film of the Year and later secured more than 25 nominations internationally, including recognition at the Kaduna International Film Festival and the Amakula International Film Festival.
Now, the feature-length adaptation continues that momentum with nine nominations at the Uganda Film Festival 2026. Yet despite the accolades, the emotional connection audiences felt during the premiere arguably became the film’s greatest achievement.
The audience response throughout the screening reflected that connection. Some viewers wiped away tears during emotional scenes, while others sat quietly through the closing moments before rising into applause. Conversations afterward moved beyond filmmaking techniques and performances. Instead, many attendees spoke about mothers, sacrifice, healthcare, and the importance of supporting young women facing difficult circumstances.
As part of the premiere activities, Reach A Hand Africa organized a Maama Kit Donation Drive to support teenage mothers with essential maternal care supplies. Therefore, the event did not simply ask audiences to empathize with the film’s message. It invited them to directly contribute toward improving maternal health outcomes for vulnerable young mothers across Uganda.
Following the successful premiere, Maama Wange now heads into a nationwide cinema run as part of the Uganda Film Festival 2026. Importantly, proceeds from all screenings will support the Maama Kit Donation Drive, ensuring that the film’s impact continues long after audiences leave the cinema.
