Kampala came alive for an evening of film, conversation and familiar faces as award-winning documentary A Man Like Sam premiered locally at Century Cinema, Acacia Mall, on Thursday, August 27. The regional premiere brought together a diverse crowd, from medical professionals and disability advocates to Uganda’s film royalty, creatives and members of the press, all gathered to watch the story of Samuel Mugabi unfold on the big screen.
Directed by Maurice Kirya, A Man Like Sam follows Samuel, a Ugandan man living with Down syndrome, as he navigates his journey towards independence while challenging some of the expectations society places on people with intellectual disabilities.
The evening saw filmmakers, members of the creative industry, media personalities and advocates coming together for a film that has already been making waves internationally.
For many of the guests, however, the evening was less about the accolades and more about finally seeing a Ugandan story that has travelled the international festival circuit return home.
A Man Like Sam has already picked up several international honours, including Best Short Doc at the Alpine International Film Festival in Switzerland and Best International Film at the Brittany International Film Festival in France. Kirya has also been recognised with Best Director awards at the Hollywood International Indie Film Festival and Cinema Royal Paris.
The film has further received an Honorable Mention at Scotland’s Scarlett International Film Festival, while earning a Semi-Finalist spot at Cannes Indie Shorts in France and nominations at the New York Shorts International Film Festival and the “I Will Tell” International Film Festival in London.
But despite its growing list of accolades, the film remains grounded in a very personal story.
Samuel’s voice sits at the centre of the documentary, with his family, Upasuaji International Executive Director LynsayBalumuka and Diana Mutoni also sharing their perspectives.
The film explores family, faith, resilience and the realities of raising a child with Down syndrome, while making a broader case for giving people with disabilities the opportunity to live, contribute and pursue independence.
The premiere was hosted by Upasuaji International as part of its “Advocacy on Screen” initiative, which uses film and storytelling to tackle stigma, correct misconceptions and promote dignity and inclusion for people with Down syndrome across East Africa.
With a packed cinema, a strong Ugandan creative presence and a story that has already found an audience beyond the country, A Man Like Sam made its Kampala debut as both a celebration of local filmmaking and a reminder that some of the most powerful stories are the ones that start right at home.
