Presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the screening of Hidden Uganda, a documentary by American journalist Peter Greenberg, showcased Uganda’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
The film takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s diverse landscapes and vibrant traditions. From the lively buzz of a typical market day in downtown Kampala, filled with the warm laughter of vendors, to a drive through the city’s bustling streets, every scene captures the country’s unique energy.
It lingers over a heartfelt moment with locals enjoying freshly brewed coffee on the slopes of Mt Elgon, before moving to Kapchorwa, where Olympic gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei shares a glimpse of his hometown’s magic.
The adventure continues with an up-close encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, followed by a celebratory toast with the sweetest, freshly squeezed banana juice. The film also offers an intimate look at life in an Ankole Longhorn herdsman’s homestead, before plunging into the adrenaline-pumping thrill of white-water rafting down the Nile.
Finally, it builds to a show-stopping moment with our closest cousins—the chimpanzees of Ngamba Island.
Hidden Uganda is more than a documentary; it’s a vivid exploration of a country alive with the rhythms of art, culture, and adventure.
Sighting the success of this movie which is already making heat waves in America, the President pledged his commitment to continued support of such initiatives.
He commended continued efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Wildlife Authority, United Nations Development Program Uganda , Private Sector Foundation Uganda and players like Miss Diana Kyaremera the CEO Age Safaris for promoting tourism growth.
The President shared how the documenting of Uganda’s Uniqueness can be summarized in the words “latitude” (being on the Equator) and “altitude,” which influence the climate, as well as the flora and fauna found in Uganda.
He emphasized Uganda’s rich history, preserved culture, and unique wildlife, calling the Ankole cow a “gold mine” for healthy beef.
This documentary is one of the few to truly capture Uganda in all its glory. Anyone who watches it—whether or not they’re fans of chimpanzees—will be inspired to visit Uganda for its vibrant sports tourism. Others may be drawn to the idea of enjoying a cup of Ugandan coffee on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Indeed, I believe this documentary is a valuable addition to Uganda’s ongoing efforts to showcase itself to the world.
Stakeholders like Diana Kyaremera, the First Daughter of Uganda whose dedication and tireless efforts to spotlight Uganda’s unparelled beauty continue to aggressively campaign to promote our nation to the world.
The President has called upon them to focus on conservation, sustainable tourism practices as well as giving cultural heritage special coverage as a unique preserve that shouldn’t allow to go extinct.
He also announced plans to build international airports in Kidepo and Kanungu to improve accessibility.
With Greenberg’s documentary set to reach 130 million viewers, Uganda’s global visibility will increase significantly.
If even a fraction of these viewers visit, word-of-mouth will amplify the impact, as each traveler shares their experience, inspiring others to explore Uganda.
Lilly Ajarova the Uganda tourism board chairperson described the documentary as breath taking ,the way the Ugandan Beautiful Landscapes were captured.
“What an unforgettable evening at Speke Resort Munyonyo for the Ugandan premiere of Hidden Uganda! It was truly moving to see our beautiful country through the brilliant storytelling of Greenberg,” Ajarova said.
According to Ajarova, the documentary captures the very essence of Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, majestic wildlife, rich cultures, and the warmth of our people.
“ Watching our nation’s beauty unfold on screen reaffirmed why we are rightfully called the Pearl of Africa,” she adds.
Hidden Uganda a documentary showcasing Uganda’s hidden gems and beauty as captured by renowned CBS travel editor Peter S Greenberg was premiered yesterday April 4, 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The documentation was supported by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Tourism ,Tourism Board ,Uganda Wild Life ,United Nations Development Program Uganda and State house.
A series of these documentaries are estimated to be seen by more than 130 million People internationally and is expected to air on American Publication services like PBS, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube among others all aimed at promoting and increasing Uganda’s visibility in the American Market.
This Year on February 14,the documentary was premiered in New york at the Whitby Hotel, playing to a packed house. It was a significant moment for Uganda’s tourism Ministry showcasing the Country’s unique attractions to a global audience with potential to attract more Visitors and hence boosting the Economy.
Greenberg has also been known for producing documentaries like Tanzania :The Royal Tour and Rwanda: The Royal Tour .
‘The Royal Tour ‘ a periodic feature on PBS for more than two decades is just as the name implies. Other Countries that have been featured include Mexico, Israel, Ecuador and Poland.
In the words of Ajarova ,Hidden Uganda is not just a film, its an open invitation for the world to explore and experience the magic of Our homeland.
Indeed, Uganda is a hidden gem. Recently, MAZELEE, a popular YouTube channel run by American couple Alena Maze and Joe Lee, documented their experiences in Uganda.
Alena shared that whenever she asked her followers to recommend African countries to visit, Uganda came at bottom of the list. However, upon visiting, she was captivated by the country’s breathtaking beauty and rich culture. So much so that she and her family have already returned for a second holiday.
With documentaries like Hidden Uganda bringing the country’s wonders directly into people’s living rooms, Uganda’s tourism is poised for a major boost. The world is about to discover what has long been one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.
