Maurice Kirya is bringing an award-winning story of resilience back home, as his documentary A Man Like Samreturned to Uganda for its regional premiere at Century Cinema, Acacia Mall, Kampala, on Thursday, August 27.
The documentary, directed by the celebrated Ugandan musician, actor and filmmaker, follows the life of Samuel Mugabi, a Ugandan man living with Down syndrome whose journey towards independence challenges some of the assumption’s society continues to hold about people with intellectual disabilities.
But before its Kampala homecoming, A Man Like Sam had already travelled a considerable distance on the international film festival circuit, picking up major recognition along the way.
The documentary won Best Short Doc at the Alpine International Film Festival in Switzerland and Best International Film at the Brittany International Film Festival in France. It also earned an Honorable Mention at Scotland’s Scarlett International Film Festival.
For Kirya, the film’s growing international recognition is a reflection of the power of Samuel’s story and the conversations it seeks to create.
“What began as an effort to start meaningful conversations around Down syndrome in East Africa has connected with audiences and juries around the world,” said Lynsay Balumuka, Executive Director of Upasuaji International and Executive Producer of the film.
Kirya’s work as director has also earned multiple Best Director honours, including wins at the Hollywood International Indie Film Festival and Cinema Royal Paris.
The film was also named a Semi-Finalist at Cannes Indie Shorts in France and received a nomination at the New York Shorts International Film Festival. It has further been nominated for the prestigious “I Will Tell” International Film Festival in London, scheduled for September 2026.
Yet beneath the accolades is a story that is considerably more intimate.
A Man Like Sam centres Samuel’s own voice and lived experience, rather than allowing his diagnosis to become the entire story. His experiences are told alongside personal insights from his family, Upasuaji International Executive Director and Executive Producer Lynsay Balumuka, and Diana Mutoni.
The result is a film that explores the realities of raising a child with Down syndrome, from the challenges and uncertainty to the moments of joy, faith, determination and resilience.
At its heart, the film makes a simple argument: people deserve an opportunity to show what they can do.
The Kampala screening brought together members of Uganda’s creative, development and advocacy communities, including JoramMuzira, National Director of Miss Universe Uganda.
For Upasuaji International, the premiere was also an important homecoming for a project created to spark conversations about Down syndrome across East Africa.
A Man Like Sam is part of the organisation’s “Advocacy on Screen” initiative, which uses storytelling to challenge cultural stigma, correct medical misconceptions and advocate for dignity and inclusion for people with Down syndrome.
The film’s journey demonstrates the growing potential of Ugandan stories to find audiences beyond the country’s borders. But its return to Kampala also brought the story closer to the communities at the heart of its message.
Samuel’s journey is not framed as one that calls for pity. Instead, it is a story about possibility, independence and what can happen when families and communities choose opportunity over limitation.
“For me, A Man Like Sam is about looking beyond a diagnosis and seeing the person, their dreams, their abilities and their potential. Sam’s story is a reminder that when we give people a chance, surround them with support and believe in their possibilities, they can achieve far more than society often expects of them,”Mauriceexplains.