Mariam Ndagire (born 16 May 1971) is a Ugandan singer, entertainer, actress, playwright, film director, and film producer.
Beginnings and education She was born in Kampala, Uganda's capital city, to Sarah Nabbutto and Buganda's Prince Kizito Ssegamwenge. She attended Buganda Road Primary School, before transferring to Kampala High School, where she completed her O-level education. For her A-Level studies, she attended Trinity College Nabbingo, in Wakiso District, where she graduated with a High School Diploma.
She went on to obtain a Higher Diploma in Marketing from Makerere University Business School in Nakawa. Later, she was awarded a Diploma in Music, Dance and Drama, from Makerere University, Uganda's oldest and largest public university.
Performing career Ndagire started out as a theatre actress, at age 15, while still a student at Kampala High School. She went on to join the Black Pearls of Omugave Ndugwa in 1987, where she starred in several plays up until 1993. While there, she co-wrote her first play titled "Engabo Y'addako". Later Ndagire, together with Kato Lubwama and Ahraf Simwogerere formed their own group the Diamonds' Ensemble and they wrote several plays.
Ndagire is so passionate about helping young talent find themselves in the performing arts; that is the reason that she started The Next Ugandan Music, an American Idol-style show. Ndagire also started a new training workshop for filmmakers at her center, the Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre MNFPAC, which holds film workshops for filmmakers every year. Among the workshops' notable participants are Sarah Kisauzi Sentongo, an actress with Deception, the NTV Uganda TV series, and screenwriter Usama Mukwaya.
In 2015 Ndagire was appointed by AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS' CHOICE AWARDS AMVCA to be part of the JURY.
In 2019 Ndagire was appointed as a committee member of the Grand Jury of the GOLDEN MOVIE AWARDS AFRICA.
Film and television Year Title Production role Notes 2007 Down This Road I Walk Writer, director, producer, actress Feature film 2008 Strength of a Stranger Writer, director, producer, actress Feature film 2009 Hearts in Pieces Writer, director, producer, actress Feature film 2010 – ongoing Tendo Sisters Writer, director, producer, actress TV series 2011 Where We Belong Writer, director, producer, actress Feature film 2012 Dear Mum Writer, director, producer, actressFeature film2013 – on going Anything But Love Writer, director, producer TV series 2013 Belated Trouble Writer, director, producer, actress Feature film 2013 You Can't Break My Will Writer, director Short movie 2015 – on going J-Rose Writer, director, producer TV series 2016 Vicky's Dilemma Director, producer Short Movie 2016 Intimate Partner Violence series Director, producer Short Movie 2017 Nsaali Writer, director, producer Feature Film 2017 – ongoing BA-AUNT Writer, director, producer, actress TV series 2017 KAALA Producer Short Movie 2019 - ongoing OUR PERFECT WEDDING UGANDA Director, producer Wedding Reality TV Show 2020 On The Otherside Writer, director, producer Feature Film 2021 My Husband's Wife Writer, director, producer Feature Film 2022 Kafa Coh Asha Nkono (Actress) Feature Film 2025 Call 112 Teopista Ndyanabo Short film 2026 Longing To Belong Writer, director, producer Feature Film 2026 Ekitiibwa Ky'olubugo Executive Producer Documentary Film
Awards and nominations + List of awards and nominations Year Nominated work Award Category Result2013 WHERE WE BELONG Uganda Film Festival Award Best Cinematography 2013 WHERE WE BELONG Uganda Film Festival Award Best Sound 2017 BA-AUNT Pearl International Film Festival Best TV Drama 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Actress "Dinah Akwenyi" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Indigenous Language Film 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Sound 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Screenplay "Mariam Ndagire" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Director "Mariam Ndagire" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor "Sebugenyi Rogers" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Young Actor "Nalumu Shamsa" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Young Actor "Dinah Akwenyi" 2017 NSAALI Pearl International Film Festival Best Feature Film 2018 BA-AUNT Zanzibar International Film Festival Best TV Drama 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Actor "Sekimpi Johnmary" 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Ugandan Feature Film 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Costume 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Screenplay "Mariam Ndagire" 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Director "Mariam Ndagire" 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Supporting Actress "Tania Shakira Kankindi" 2021 My Husband's Wife Pearl International Film Festival Best Uganda Feature Film 2022 My Husband's Wife Uganda Film Festival Awards Best Editor "Suuna Peter" 2022 My Husband's Wife Uganda Film Festival Awards Best Actor "Sekimpi JohnMary" 2022 My Husband's Wife Uganda Film Festival Awards Best Screenplay "Ndagire Mariam" 2022 My Husband's Wife Uganda Film Festival Awards Best Supporting Actress "Tania Shakira Kankindi" 2022 My Husband's Wife Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Movie East Africa "Mariam Ndagire"
Partial discography Mulongo Wange (1997) Bamugamba (1998) Onkyaye (2000) Nkusibiddawo (2001) Kamuwaane (2002) Abakazi Twalaba (2003) Akulimbalimba (2004) Akalaboko (2007) Maama (2007) Byonna Twala (2009) Majangwa (2009) Oly'omu (2012) Kiki Onvuma (2014) Kibun'omu (2016)
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