A fresh telling of the Ugandan story is courting hearts across the globe and fostering interest in the country’s tourism offerings among those that have chanced upon it – a work of art created by a Ugandan filmmaker in collaboration with the Consulate of Uganda in Guangzhou.
‘Back to the Source – the Nile’, was directed by renowned Ugandan Storyteller/filmmaker Derrick Ssenyonyi and produced by the Consulate under the reins of Ambassador Judith Nsababera, who is the star of this awe-inspiring journey across Uganda.
The documentary follows Ambassador Nsababera on an intimate, cinematic journey across Uganda, anchored by her decision to confront a phobia she has lived with since childhood – deep water.
The story unfolds as she prepares to raft on the River Nile for the first time, using this personal challenge as an entry point into a larger narrative about Uganda’s beauty, resilience, and economic promise.
Ambassador Nsababera, who survived a near-drowning incident at age 13, opens the film with a powerful reflection on fear, healing, and identity.
Her journey intertwines some of Uganda’s most iconic destinations and experiences; Jinja and the River Nile, Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo, Bwindi Coffee farming experiences in Kisoro, Mbarara’s Ankole cattle heritage at Emburara Farm Lodge, Wildlife, cycling, and horseback adventures in Lake Mburo National Park as well as Cultural storytelling from Uganda’s vibrant communities.
Her narration connects tourism, culture, investment, and diplomacy in one unified message—in China and globally, “Uganda is ready for deeper engagement, stronger partnerships, and increased tourism flows.”
Speaking at the world premiere of ‘Back to the Source – the Nile’ held in Guangzhou, China on December 12th, 2025, Ambassador Nsababera described the documentary as a homecoming, a rediscovery and “a moment of truth for me as a person and for us as a nation.”
She dives deeper into why the venture was a personal healing journey, conquering a fear that has manifested in most seasons of her life, noting the world premier was more than just a film screening – a rediscovery both for her and Uganda as a nation.
“This documentary began with a fear I have carried since I was thirteen years old. A fear that followed me into adulthood, into motherhood, and even into my diplomatic career. For years, water represented something I could not face. But the Nile, our Nile, kept calling me home. The River Nile shaped civilisations, crowned kingdoms, carried explorers, and nourished millions. It is a river that the world has studied for centuries, yet it still holds mysteries of courage, identity, and belonging. So when I chose to confront my deepest fear, I realised I was not only fighting for myself. I was stepping into a story that is older and larger than all of us,” the Ambassador said.
The film is not about bravery in the traditional sense, she notes, but rather about surrendering “to the truth of who we are.”
She adds, “Uganda is a country of contrasts, we are gentle and fierce, we are warm and resilient, we are grounded in heritage yet full of untapped potential and the Nile is a perfect metaphor for that journey.”
A cinematic vision led by a Ugandan Director
Directed by award-winning Ugandan Storyteller/filmmaker Derrick Ssenyonyi, the documentary combines emotional storytelling with high-end cinematography.
Through drone aerials, immersive sound design, and authentic field footage, the film presents Uganda at a visual standard that competes on international platforms. Ssenyonyi’s directorial vision ties the personal story of confronting fear to a national narrative about potential, opportunity, and identity.
The team comprised of both Ugandan and Chinese cinematographers captures the country’s forests, hills, wildlife, and people with a deliberate cinematic style designed for global distribution.
Speaking about the documentary, Ssenyonyi noted that the goal was to create a film that feels human, cinematic, and proudly Ugandan.
“We wanted to show a story that resonates beyond tourism – something emotional, meaningful, and visually unforgettable. When we started filming, I knew we weren’t shooting a typical travel film. We were documenting a personal journey on the River Nile, but also a national message – about courage, identity, opportunity, and what Uganda has to offer the world,” he said.
According to him, the film covers most of Uganda’s iconic destinations like Jinja, Kisoro, Bwindi, Lake Mburo, Mbarara, and Kampala, but more importantly, it covers the heart of Uganda – the people.
“And that is something China and Uganda share deeply – a belief in community. I always tell people that it is never the destination that makes a journey memorable, it is the people.”
Big turnout at China premiere a signal for Ugandan content demand?
The Guangzhou premiere exceeded expectations, with a capacity turnout of over 300 guests and additional viewers following the rollout online.
Tour operators expressed heightened interest in Uganda’s tourism offerings, while Chinese media highlighted the film as “one of the most compelling African travel documentaries to emerge this year.”
The Consulate General noted that the launch aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Asian markets, especially in tourism, trade, and cultural diplomacy.
Ambassador Nsababera emphasized that as the Consul General, she is deeply committed to strengthening the bridge between Uganda and China and this film is part of that mission.
“We want Chinese visitors, investors, students, explorers, and families to know that Uganda is open, welcoming, and ready to engage in ways that go beyond business, we want you to feel our heartbeat. To everyone who joined us in Guangzhou, thank you for showing that Uganda’s story matters. Thank you for believing that African narratives deserve a global stage and thank you for reminding us that cultural diplomacy is not theory, it is lived experience,” she said.
Uganda premiere set for 22 February 2026
Following the successful launch in China, Back to the Source – The Nile will premiere in Uganda on 22 February 2026. The event will bring together government officials, tourism boards, private-sector partners, content creators, development agencies, and the media.
The Uganda premiere will feature; a full screening of the documentary, a director’s conversation with Derrick Ssenyonyi, reflections from Ambassador Judith Nsababera, an industry dialogue on tourism storytelling, investment, and representation as well as a special showcase of the destinations featured in the film.
The upcoming premiere is expected to draw significant national attention as the documentary positions itself as one of Uganda’s most important tourism films in recent years.
