# The Passenger (2023 Ugandan film)

The Passenger is a 2023 Ugandan film directed by Hadijah Nakanjako and written by Meddy Sserwadda. The film stars Henry Nathan Katongole, Allen Musumba and Olot Bonny Elem in leading roles. Usama Mukwaya serves as the executive producer through O Studios Entertainment.
The film is a commission project by Maisha Magic Movies and its Hadijah's feature film directorial debut.

## Plot

A young man tries to deliver a mysterious package to the city on a bus but another passenger thinks he is a killer carrying a mutilated body or bomb and is determined to stop him.

## Cast

* Henry Nathan Katongole as Musa Kibalama
* Allen Musumba as Regina Nabatanzi
* Olot Bonny Elem as Okello Wilbur
* Kawuma Fred as Conductor
* Irene Munyenga as Nabatanzi Neighbor
* Nyamatte Mariam as Annet
* Emily Yomcwiny as Winnie

## Release

The film was released digitally by MultiChoice on Maisha Magic Movies January 21, 2023. The film was listed among the top films of 2023 by Africa International Film Festival.

## Nominations and awards

The film received 11 nominations at the Uganda Film Festival 2023 and later won 5 awards.
Awards & Nominations :
| Year | Award | Category | Received by | Result |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Feature Film | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Indigenous Film | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Won |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Director | Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Actor (Film) | Henry Nathan Katongole | Won |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | People's Choice Award | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Supporting Actress | Allen Musumba | Nominated |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Production Design | Imran Musabeh | Nominated |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Sound | Isiko Abubaker | Won |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Editing & Post Production | Daka Emmanuel Waira | Won |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Cinematography | Izeak Ekuka | Won |
| 2023 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Script (Screen Play) | Meddy Sserwadda | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Feature Film | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Director | Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Actor | Henry Nathan Katongole | Won |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Supporting Actress | Allen Musumba | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Production Design | Imran Musabeh | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Editing | Daka Emmanuel Waira | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Cinematography | Izeak Ekuka | Won |
| 2023 | Pearl International Film Festival(PIFF) | Best Costume | Nantege Joan | Nominated |
| 2023 | Mashariki African Film Festival | Long Feature Fiction | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2023 | Malawi International Film Festival | Best International Feature Film | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Won |
| 2023 | Malawi International Film Festival | Best International Film director | Hadijah Nakanjako | Won |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Film | Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Director | Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Actor | Henry Nathan Katongole | Won |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Allen Musumba | Won |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Production Design | Imran Musabeh | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Sound | Isiko Abubaker | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Editing | Daka Emmanuel Waira | Won |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Cinematography | Izeak Ekuka | Won |
| 2024 | 2nd iKON Awards | Best Script (Screen Play) | Meddy Sserwadda | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Indigenous M-Net Original | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2024 | 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Scripted M-Net Original | Usama Mukwaya, Meddy Sserwadda, Hadijah Nakanjako | Nominated |
| 2024 | New Vision Peoples Choice Film Awards | Best Cinematography Feature Film | Izeak Ekuka | Nominated |
| 2024 | New Vision Peoples Choice Film Awards | Best Costume Design Feature Film | Joan Nantege | Nominated |
| 2024 | New Vision Peoples Choice Film Awards | Best Screenplay Feature Film | Meddy Sserwadda | Nominated |
| 2024 | New Vision Peoples Choice Film Awards | Best Make Up Feature Film | Joan Nantege | Nominated |
| 2025 | Kitale Film Week Awards | Best Screenplay | Meddy Sserwadda | Nominated |