Brenda Amutuhire is steadily carving out her place in Uganda’s growing film and television industry, balancing ambition, and a deep passion for storytelling. At just 21 years old, she is already juggling multiple identities as a student, actress, model and a beauty queen while navigating the demands of a competitive creative space.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Uganda Christian University, Brenda’s days are often split between lectures and film sets. It is a balancing act she admits is far from easy. There are moments when school demands her full attention while production schedules also require her presence on set.
“It is tough right now having to balance school and acting because there are times I have to be at school and yet at the same time I am also needed on set. However, with proper coordination and understanding from the production team, I have been able to manage both commitments,” she says.
Brenda’s journey into acting began at a young age. She recalls stepping into the world of performance while still in Primary Three, working with a local drama group called Banyakitara Western Actors. What started as a childhood passion gradually evolved into a serious pursuit. However, like many actors in Uganda, Brenda’s path has not been without challenges.
“I would work on projects for free without any form of recognition or reward despite my talent and contribution. Sometimes I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore but I persevered,” she says adding that acting gives her the freedom to express sides of herself that she cannot in real life.
That persistence paid off when she landed a role in Pearl Magic Prime’s Loving Beyond. After spotting a casting call, Brenda took the initiative to audition, performing a monologue in front of casting directors. The process was long and demanding involving multiple callbacks, but ultimately, she secured the role of Prossy, a character that has since made her a recognizable face on screen.
Prossy is a complex and evolving character. In the early episodes, she appears as a sweet, innocent, and loving young woman. However, as the story unfolds, she undergoes a dramatic transformation, revealing a darker, more manipulative side driven by envy and anger.
Brenda admits that transitioning into this version of Prossy was one of her greatest challenges. It required her to tap into emotions and behaviors far removed from her real personality. With guidance from directors and consistent rehearsal, she gradually settled into the role, delivering a performance that has sparked strong reactions from viewers.
“My character Prossy is a bad one and audiences have expressed how much they hate me in the series. But in real life, I am a very friendly, loving person and I like socializing with people. But I also share a few similarities with Prossy such as being outspoken and having a keen sense of fashion,” says Brenda.
Interestingly, while audiences have come to strongly dislike Prossy, Brenda sees this as a sign of success. To her, it means the character feels real and believable.
Despite her rising visibility, Brenda is still adjusting to the attention that comes with being on television. Being recognized in public is something she finds both exciting and overwhelming. She admits she often feels unsure of how to respond when fans approach her as she is still coming to terms with her growing fame.
She says, “This is my first show on Pearl Magic Prime and it has not yet sunk in that I am on such a huge platform. People excitedly recognize me in public but I still don’t know how to act upon it.”
Working alongside established actors has also been an important part of her learning experience. As a newcomer, she initially found it intimidating, but she developed a strategy to overcome this by building familiarity with her co-stars off-camera. This helps her feel more comfortable during scenes, allowing her to perform without fear or hesitation. She also shares light moments on set especially with fellow cast members who bring humor into the working environment like Aaliyah Nanfuka who acts as Namisango, her aunt.
Beyond acting, Brenda has also made her mark in the world of pageantry. In 2024, she was crowned Miss Teen World Uganda under Miss Teen Africa, adding to her earlier title as Miss YMCA 2022/2023. For her, pageantry is not about just beauty, but also leadership, confidence and personal growth.
She encourages aspiring actors to use social media platforms to showcase their talent and actively seek out casting opportunities. Her own breakthrough, she notes, came from simply responding to a casting call without any external connections where she stood out among hundreds of hopefuls.
“I advise fellow young actors to stop the mentality that everything comes with connections. Personally, I have always pushed myself. I have gone on very many casting calls including for Damalie and Sanyu. I didn’t go through for some but I have never given up. So, it is all about consistency and putting yourself out there,” Brenda advises.
Viewers can catch the show every Monday to Friday at 8:30 pm on Pearl Magic Prime. Get KaWeekie for as low as Ushs 11,500 on GOtv Plus (Channel 303) and Ushs 15,000 on DStv Access (Channel 148) to enjoy the telenovela.
