Kampala, Uganda – The long-awaited Kampala premiere of Memories of Love Returned, the award-winning documentary by Ugandan-American actor and filmmaker Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, finally took place, drawing audiences into a poignant story of memory, art, and cultural preservation. Held in an atmosphere of excitement and pride, the premiere brought together film enthusiasts, creatives, and members of the public eager to witness a story that has already garnered international recognition. Released in 2024, the documentary has been screened across five continents and received accolades from film festivals in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond. Its screening in Kampala marked a meaningful homecoming for a film that is deeply rooted in Uganda’s cultural and social history.
Mwine, widely known for his performances in films such as Blood Diamond and Queen of Katwe, as well as television series like The Chi and The Lincoln Lawyer, takes a new turn in Memories of Love Returned, moving from acting to personal storytelling. The documentary tells the life story of Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, a rural photographer from Mbirizi in Masaka, whose dedication over nearly five decades resulted in thousands of photographic negatives capturing life across his community and surrounding districts. The archive includes both medium-format and 35mm negatives, spanning the 1950s to the early 2000s, providing a rare window into Uganda’s social, cultural, and personal histories. Even the heavy downpour didn’t stop the Ugandans at the Kampala premiere who were moved by the film, revealing decades of Ugandan life preserved through Kibaate’s lens. His work not only serves as a historical record but also underscores the emotional and cultural power of photography in preserving identity and memory.
The documentary also highlights Mwine’s own journey stretching back in 2002, a chance encounter with Kibaate at a small roadside studio along the Masaka–Mbarara highway sparked a lasting connection. What began as a brief meeting evolved into a mission to preserve and share the photographer’s work globally. After Kibaate’s passing in 2006, Mwine committed himself to telling his story, later scanning the negatives and organising an exhibition of the photographs in Mbirizi in 2021. “Very emotional,” said one viewer. “It is amazing how Ntare turned the story of a small-town photographer into a reflection on Uganda’s complex history of love and relationships. No wonder it has won awards all over the world.”
The film has received extensive international acclaim, winning Best Documentary at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival, and the Best Documentary Feature award at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2024. It also earned Best International Documentary and a Special Jury Mention at the Africa International Film Festival 2024 in Lagos and was named one of OkayAfrica’s Top Ten African Documentaries of 2024. The Kampala premiere was a full-circle moment, affirming the documentary’s resonance both internationally and at home, where its story touches the hearts of those it represents.
