Veteran Ugandan actress, filmmaker, and musician Mariam Ndagire has provided a major update on the progress of her much-anticipated film school. The Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre, located in Sentema, Busiro South Constituency, Wakiso District, is nearing completion, with classrooms already built and final touches being made on dormitories and electrical installations.
This milestone marks a significant step in Uganda’s growing film industry, as Ndagire aims to equip young and aspiring filmmakers with professional skills.
Since announcing the project in 2023, Ndagire has been working tirelessly to establish a state-of-the-art learning institution dedicated to film and performing arts. In her latest update, she confirmed:
"The Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre is almost complete, and we are finalizing the dormitories and electrical wiring. Operations will start soon."
According to her, the school will provide:
- Fully equipped classrooms for theoretical and practical lessons.
- Dormitories to accommodate students from across Uganda and beyond.
- A performance hall for showcasing student productions.
- Cutting-edge filming and editing equipment to train students in modern cinematic techniques.
Uganda’s film industry has seen steady growth in recent years, with local productions gaining international recognition. However, lack of structured training institutions has been a major challenge for upcoming filmmakers.
Mariam Ndagire, known for her decades-long experience in acting, directing, and producing films, wants to change that. Her vision for the film school is to:
- Train the next generation of Ugandan filmmakers.
- Offer professional acting, directing, and production courses.
- Promote Ugandan storytelling in film and theater.
- Bridge the gap between talent and technical expertise.
With the film school nearing completion, the dream of establishing a Ugandan center for professional film training is becoming a reality. As final touches are made, many young filmmakers and performing artists are eagerly waiting for its official opening.
Mariam Ndagire’s initiative is set to leave a lasting impact on Uganda’s film industry, providing a platform for aspiring creatives to learn, grow, and contribute to the country’s cinematic landscape.