By For three days, cinema and community united in a spirited celebration of the documentary Memories of Love Returned, which premiered in Kampala from March 6 – March 8.
Organised by the Uganda Diaspora Network in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda, the event brought together film enthusiasts, creatives and audiences, reflecting the steady growth of Uganda’s film industry.
The guestlist included the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, alongside other notable royals such as Princess Royal Nabaloga, Prince David Wasajja and Princess Mazzi Wampamba, a particularly fitting presence considering the film is largely in Luganda with English subtitles.
International guests also made an appearance, including the European Union Ambassador and other EU diplomats. Business leaders such as Maggie Kigozi were also part of the guest list, alongside cultural figures and Ugandan celebrities including Eleanor Nabwiso and her husband, Maurice Kirya and DJ Silverback, among others.
Memories of Love Returned is actor and filmmaker Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s soul-stirring documentary, a journey through love, loss and legacy seen through the remarkable life and lens of Ugandan photographer Ssaalongo Aloysius Kibaate. It is both a powerful search for identity and a moving testament to the healing power of reconnection.
The Kampala premiere proved successful. In fact, the documentary became the number one earning film at the Acacia cinema box office last weekend, outperforming several Hollywood titles screening at the same time, a rare feat for a Ugandan documentary.
The film itself tells the deeply human story of Kibaate, a village studio photographer in Mbirizi who spent decades documenting everyday life in his community.
The first premiere of Memories of Love Returned took place in Mbirizi, the very village where the story was born, and it was nothing short of electric. Hundreds of people turned up for the two-day screening in the town, reuniting the local community.
The reactions from the audience were just as palpable as those later seen in Kampala. Excitement, moments of shock and bursts of surprise swept through the crowd as the community saw their lives and memories reflected on the big screen.
But the screenings were only part of the experience. The three-day gathering unfolded with an infectious energy. Guests mingled over creative cocktails inspired by the documentary, with drinks playfully named after characters, memories and moments from the film.
The premiere was supported by sponsors including Pepsi, Uganda Breweries Limited and Inspire Africa Coffee.
From a reviewer’s perspective, Memories of Love Returned is pure genius. Through old photographs, the film reconstructs not just the life of Kibaate, but the intimate archive of an entire community.
It reminds viewers that photography, and by extension film, is not merely about images. It is about belonging.
Watching the documentary also sparks a broader realisation that Uganda’s film industry has come a long way. From early independent productions to internationally recognised stories, filmmakers like Ntare continue to expand what Ugandan stories can look like on the global stage.
The film has already travelled widely, winning awards for Best Documentary at festivals in Nigeria and Zanzibar and being screened across all five continents. More than that, the film hints at another opportunity, storytelling as a doorway to tourism.
For those who missed the first round of celebrations, there is still another chance. Memories of Love Returned returns for another screening on Saturday, March 14 at 7:00pm, continuing its journey of reconnecting Ugandans with their own stories, one photograph at a time.
