# Irene Uwoya

Irene Pancras Uwoya (born December 18, 1988), is a Tanzanian actress, producer and entrepreneur she is best known for her career name Irene Uwoya and for her movie role Oprah. Beginning her professional career in 2007 along with others bongo movie actors such as Vincent Kigosi, Steven Kanumba and many more.

## Early life

Uwoya was born on December 18, 1988, in Dodoma, Tanzania, She started her primary school in Mlimwa School and later moved to Bunge School in Dar-es-salaam, she Later went to Greenville, in Kampala Uganda for secondary education .

## Personal life

In 2008 Irene married the Rwandan football player and the captain of the Rwanda international selection Hamad Ndikumana who later died. In 2011 the couple had one child named Krish and a few years later the couple split. In 2017 she married again, this time to the bongo flava musician Abdulaziz Chande known professionally as Dogo Janja.

## Career

In 2006 she contested in the Miss Tanzania Beauty Pageant and became fifth; Wema Sepetu was crowned Miss Tanzania 2006–2007.
Irene Uwoya began her career as an actress in Bongo Movies in 2007. She been featured in more than 20 movies in and out of Tanzania.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | Yolanda | Advocate | |
| 2008 | Diversion of Love | | |
| 2008 | Oprah | Oprah | |
| 2008 | Tanzanite | | |
| 2009 | Shakira | Shakira | |
| 2009 | Mid Night | | |
| 2009 | Damu Moja | | |
| 2009 | Peace of Mind | Diana | |
| 2009 | My Dreams | | |
| 2009 | Pretty Girl | Scola | |
| 2010 | Fair Decision | | |
| 2010 | Off Side | Alice | |
| 2011 | Eagle Eyes | Rebecca | |
| 2011 | Kiapo | Akida | |
| 2011 | Senior Bachelor | Nuru | |
| 2011 | Dj Ben | | |
| 2011 | Chupa Nyeusi | | |
| 2012 | Mtihani | | |
| 2012 | Sobbing Sound | Menina | |
| 2012 | Bar Maid | | |
| 2012 | Ngumi ya Maria | Maria | |
| 2013 | Doa la Ndoa | Winfrida | |
| 2013 | Last Card | | |
| 2013 | Nyota Yangu | Jojo | |
| 2013 | Zawadi Yangu | Zawadi | |
| 2013 | Safari | | |
| 2013 | Question Mark | | |
| 2013 | Omega Confusion | Omega | |
| 2013 | Nyati | | |
| 2013 | Money Talk | | |
| 2014 | The Return of Omega | Omega | |
| 2014 | Snitch | | |
| 2014 | Rosemary | Rosemary | |
| 2014 | Figo | | |
| 2014 | Aliyemchokoza Kaja | | |
| 2014 | Mikono Salama | Aurelia | |
| 2014 | Who is My Child | | |
| 2016 | Wake up | | |
| 2016 | Pain 4 Nothing | Magreth | |
| 2017 | Bei Kali | Tausi | |
| 2022 | Nuru | Nuru | Short Film Also Executive Producer |
| TBA | Olema | - |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017-2020 | Sarafu | Janeth | Aired on Dstv Channel "Maisha Magic Bongo" |
| 2021 | Haikufuma | Natalia | Aired on Azam TV |
| 2024 | Mzani wa Mapenzi | Cleopatra | Aired on Azam TV |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2008 | Tanzania Vinara Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Diversion of Love | Nominated |
| 2008 | Tanzania Vinara Film Awards | Best Upcoming Actress | Diversion of Love | Won |
| 2008 | Tanzania Vinara Film Awards | Best Villain | Diversion of Love | Nominated |
| 2013 | Steps Entertainment Awards | Best Leading Actress | Bar Maid | Won |
| 2015 | Tanzania Film Awards | Best Actress In Supporting Role | Who is My Child | Nominated |
| 2021 | Tanzania Film Board Awards | Best Actress - Audience Choice | Haikufuma | Nominated |