Staff
Ugandan actor Derrick Baka has cemented his position among the country’s leading television actors after winning Best Actor, TV Series at the Uganda Film Festival 2026 for the second consecutive year.
Baka was recognised for his portrayal of Kaliba in the television series Damalie, successfully defending the title he won at the 2025 Uganda Film Festival for his performance as Dylan in Beloved.
The latest victory marks a significant milestone in Baka’s acting career. Winning the same category in two consecutive editions is a strong indication of consistency and sustained recognition from Uganda’s film industry. More importantly, Baka has achieved the feat with two distinctly different characters, showcasing his versatility and ability to step into different roles.
Baka’s first Uganda Film Festival Best Actor victory came in 2025, when his performance as Dylan in Beloved earned him the award. A year later, he returned to the competition with a new challenge, bringing the character of Kaliba in Damalieto life. His performance once again impressed industry professionals, earning him the 2026 Best Actor, TV Seriesaward.
The transition from Dylan to Kaliba demonstrates Baka’s ability to avoid being defined by a single character or performance style. Instead, he has continued to challenge himself by taking on different roles and finding ways to give each character an identity of its own.
Baka has steadily built his reputation through appearances in a number of Ugandan television and film productions. His acting credits include Beloved, where he played Dylan, and Damalie, where he portrays Kaliba. He has also featured in projects such as False Dreams, Studio 256 and Second Chance, alongside other film and short film productions.
These roles have helped him establish a growing presence on Uganda’s television and film scene, with his performances earning increasing recognition from both audiences and industry professionals.
Baka’s achievement goes beyond simply adding another trophy to his collection. Winning Best Actor, TV Series two years in a row demonstrates a level of consistency that is difficult to maintain in a competitive industry. It also shows that his 2025 victory was not a one off achievement.
The fact that the two awards came for different characters makes the accomplishment even more notable. Baka has demonstrated that he can deliver award winning performances across different roles rather than relying on the popularity or success of one particular character.
His consecutive victories also point to his continued development as an actor, as he moves from one production to another while maintaining a high level of performance.
With two Uganda Film Festival Best Actor awards now under his belt, Derrick Baka is emerging as one of the actors currently making a strong impact on Uganda’s television landscape.
His journey from Dylan in Beloved to Kaliba in Damalie reflects not only his range as a performer but also the growing recognition of his work.
As Uganda’s film and television industry continues to expand, Baka’s back-to-back success positions him as an actor to watch, particularly as he takes on new characters and projects.
For Baka, the 2026 victory represents another important step in an already promising acting journey and a confirmation that his performances continue to resonate with those who matter most in the industry.
From winning as Dylan in Beloved in 2025 to triumphing as Kaliba in Damalie in 2026, Derrick Baka has made it two in a row, underlining his consistency, versatility and growing stature in Ugandan television.
