Slum Bomber tells the story of Julie Akol, a resilient Ugandan female boxer whose journey of determination, unexpected challenges, and ultimate triumph highlights themes of female empowerment, urban survival, and breaking barriers in sports, something Nankya seems to have taken personally in this project.
The story draws inspiration from real-life events, showcasing a
young woman who rises above adversity in the slums of Kampala to inspire
others. Lead roles are played by Jackline Nafula as Julie Akol, alongside
musician-turned-actor Rickman Manrick and other talents including Mary
Bagenda, Samuel Kabugo, Raymond Rushabiro, with many more. Nankya not only directs the
project but also serves as executive producer of the film under Yammamba
Productions.
The production however, was only made possible after it received crucial support through the Content Support Development Fund grant from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). And despite the films exceptional production quality, that funding makes it ineligible for a Uganda Film Festival Award consideration since the awards are also organised by the UCC.
As one of 14 winning projects in 2023, Slum Bomber
benefited from the filmmakers initiative aimed at promoting locally scripted
films that address social issues and strengthen Uganda’s creative economy.
Maureen Nankya brings substantial on-screen experience to her directing role. She
entered the industry back in 2007 and 2008 with roles in Mariam Ndagire’s
Down This Road I Walk and Strength of a Stranger. Then gained wider recognition for her performance
as Anna in the 2012 drama
The Life (Directed by Nana Kagga). And other notable credits followed including City of Dust (2014), the historical
biopic
27 Guns (2018), where she played Mrs. Gertrude Njuba, and the action-packed award winning short film
Building 62 (2023), in which she delivered a standout lead performance as Tina.
Her transition to directing represents a welcome pattern of seasoned creatives taking greater control of the storytelling, like last year's winner for best director in a feature film, Rehema Nanfuka, who also transitioned from on screen actress to directing award winners behind the camera.
In different interviews, Nankya has spoken out about the lack of female-led sports
stories in local cinema and her desire to inspire women through authentic
stories shot in real Ugandan settings.
Slum Bomber not only achieves that, but goes above and beyond in its delivery. It is slated for cinema screenings during this Uganda Film Festival activation period leading up to the award show.
With major shows starting on May 28 at Metroplex Cinema,
Naalya, the project has been building anticipation for what promises to be a
powerful addition to Uganda’s expanding film catalog.
WATCH THE TRAILER for 'Slum Bomber (2026)' Directed by Maureen Nankya (2:43min):
