Kampala — AWARD ceremonies may just become a fad in the entertainment industry. We have the PAM Awards, had the drama awards. But what do we have now? The Uganda Movie Awards!

And these awards may as well set a precedent in gala organisation. They are running throughout the weekend.

Nollywood giants sGenevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Noah gracing the award ceremony will provide the talking points.

On Friday is the VIP dinner at Spectrum La Bonita, costing shs100,000. Saturday is the actual awarding ceremony at Hotel Africana VIP costs sh100,000, executive sh50,000 and ordinary shs30,000.

But, for an industry barely out of its infancy, even still searching for definitions, what is there to award? What makes a movie Ugandan?

The committee has even nominated Charles Ssenkubuge's Kigenya Agenya that does not qualify as a movie. It is the reason why guest actress and actor will take the centre stage.

But the awards are anticipating a troubled beginning, with most of the biggest players shunning them.

All moviemakers had to register and submit their works.

So, nearly everyone who did could as well carry an accolade. There are 30 nominees in 15 categories. And some, like Mariam Ndagire, were pushed into the fray perhaps to give the awards more credibility.

The Uganda Federation of Movie Industry is mainly made up of movie marketers but fewer people with a profession for film art. It also includes popular video jokers and "cinema" owners.

But from its inception, a few months ago at the National Theatre, the awards' committee has made several changes. There were about 50 categories, most of which were misconceived.

The one of the best costume was supposed to go to best-dressed actor or actress and not a costume designer.

There could be reservations about the Uganda Movie Awards.

But would you not want to be witness to a beginning that may shape the future of entertainment sector that is fast gaining popularity?

Below are some of the people contesting for the awards

Film director of the year

Ssekweyama Mustafa, Nnabe Muboluganda

Busuulwa Mabirizi Joseph Standing alone

lMuganza bato Bewa City Mafia

Senkubuge Charles kigenya Agenya

Ssengendo George, badda

Script writer of the year

Mayanja Kanyike Henry Omukazi mu Ssebo

Makubage Osman Ensisinkano Y'ebizibu

Lubega Lwanga Frank Ekibembulira

Kasozi Jamil Ekinene Kya Wanga

Simwogerere Ashraf Murder in the City

Regional film producing company Under the sun (kayunga) Bibaawo Munsi

Top one week studios (Rukungiri) Barya Ne'engwe

Theatre ambassadors (Masaka) Ekibambulira