Bobi Wine’s ‘The People’s President’ Wins Prestigious Audience Choice Award in New York

In a powerful testament to the film’s message and impact, Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine’s documentary “The People’s President” received the prestigious Audience Choice Award at the 17th annual Cinema Eye Honors in New York. The ceremony, held at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem, celebrated excellence in nonfiction filmmaking.

“The People’s President,” which chronicles Bobi Wine’s journey in the Ugandan political landscape, has garnered significant recognition since its release. Previously, it was shortlisted for the Oscars and earned the title of best feature documentary of 2023 at the International Documentary Association Awards.

Upon receiving the Audience Choice Award, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, expressed both surprise and deep gratitude. He emphasized that the film’s purpose was not to win awards, but rather to document the ongoing struggle for freedom in Uganda. “We have won the Audience Choice Award at the Cinema Eye Honors 2024 in New York. Grateful to the team that has been involved in the making of the Documentary film since 2017. The struggle continues!” he tweeted.

He dedicated the award to his friend John Bosco Kibalama and others who have disappeared at the hands of Ugandan security forces. This poignant gesture underscored the film’s connection to human rights and the fight for justice.

The Cinema Eye Honors, established in 2007, celebrates independent, nonfiction filmmaking by recognizing both the creative teams behind the films and the artistic excellence within the genre. They specifically focus on feature and short-length films aimed for public distribution through various channels.