Voices on screen: Young actor takes centre stage in Ugandan film

KAMPALA — At seven years old, Nakaayi Dorcus is already building experience in Uganda’s film industry, taking on a leading role in an independent film scheduled for release in 2027.

Dorcus plays the central child character in Maama Muto (Sweet Enemy), a film directed and produced by Musayimugaga Bashir.

The story follows a girl whose mother dies, leaving her father to begin a relationship with the late mother’s younger sister, who moves into their home. What follows is a difficult family situation as the woman begins mistreating the child.

The film also features Solomon Kayanja, Ssekyewa Junior, Rogers Atim, Namutebi and Joseph Ssemuju.The title Maama Muto refers to a mother’s younger sister in Luganda, while Sweet Enemy hints at the conflict that develops within the family.

For Dorcus, the production is another opportunity to develop her acting career while continuing with primary school.Born on July 27, 2019, in Mpigi District, she attends Kibibi Junior School in Butambala District.

She previously studied at Upendo Christian School. People familiar with her describe her as confident and expressive, qualities that have helped her take on roles in local television dramas.

Her involvement in the new film comes at a time when independent productions are creating more opportunities for young performers in Uganda.

Digital technology has made it easier for filmmakers to produce television dramas, online series and feature films without relying entirely on established studios.

Many of these productions draw their stories from familiar Ugandan settings, including family relationships and the challenges people face at home.

Getting an independent film to the cinema, however, remains a challenge. Producers often have to work with limited budgets while managing casting, filming, editing and distribution.

A completed film must also find an audience in a market where local productions compete for viewers’ attention.For child actors, the demands of production come with another responsibility: ensuring that school remains a priority.

Filming schedules can interfere with lessons and examinations if they are not properly planned. Parents and producers therefore have to work together to ensure that children can participate in productions without falling behind in class.Dorcus’s previous acting work has been arranged around the school calendar, and the same approach is expected for Maama Muto (Sweet Enemy).

Her experience reflects an important consideration for an industry that increasingly gives young performers opportunities to appear on screen.

While acting can help children develop confidence and practical skills, it should not come at the expense of their education.The film’s subject also touches on experiences familiar to many families.

The death of a parent, changes in household relationships and conflicts between adults and children are situations that can have lasting effects on young people.By placing a child at the centre of the story, the production explores these issues through the experiences of its youngest character.

Maama Muto (Sweet Enemy) is expected to reach cinemas in 2027. Screening venues and a detailed public breakdown of the cast’s roles have not yet been announced.

For Dorcus, the film adds to her early experience in television and film. For its producers, it is an opportunity to bring a locally grounded story to cinema audiences.

The project will ultimately have to stand on its own as a film, but its production offers another glimpse of the opportunities emerging for young performers in Uganda’s changing creative industry.