Uganda’s creative industry is mourning the loss of celebrated actress, filmmaker, dancer, and visual artist Esteri Tebandeke, who passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 41 after a prolonged battle with chronic kidney disease. She died at Nakasero Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment in the High Dependency Unit in her final days.
Born Esther Brenda Apolot on May 16, 1984, in Kampala, Tebandeke built a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades in Uganda’s film and performing arts industry. She studied at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art at Makerere University, where she nurtured her passion for acting, visual art, and storytelling. Her journey into the arts began around 2008, performing in theater and film while also working as a contemporary dancer and visual artist, eventually gaining recognition both locally and internationally.
Tebandeke rose to global prominence after her role as Sarah Katende, the mother of chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, in the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe directed by Mira Nair. The film, which premiered in Uganda to widespread acclaim, showcased her ability to deliver emotionally powerful and authentic performances, earning her admiration from audiences and fellow creatives. She also appeared in other productions such as Imperial Blue and Cooking Oil, and featured in the popular song “Singa” by Bobi Wine, further cementing her presence in Uganda’s entertainment scene.
Beyond acting, Tebandeke was widely respected as a filmmaker and creative visionary who worked to elevate African storytelling. She played a key role in initiatives such as the Binti Film Festival, which aimed to create platforms for African women filmmakers and emerging storytellers. Colleagues and industry players have described her as a passionate advocate for the arts who continuously created opportunities for young creatives while maintaining a spirit of resilience and positivity.
Her personal life was closely tied to her creative journey. She was married to fellow filmmaker and actor Samuel Lutaata Tebandeke since 2011, and the two worked together in Uganda’s film industry for many years. In 2022, her husband donated a kidney to her during a transplant operation in India, a gesture that highlighted their deep bond and commitment to her recovery as she battled chronic kidney disease, which had affected her health since around 2015.
In her final days, Tebandeke’s condition worsened despite ongoing medical care, and she passed away peacefully in her husband’s arms at Nakasero Hospital. News of her death spread quickly across social media on March 24, sparking an outpouring of tributes from Uganda’s arts community, colleagues from the National Theatre, filmmakers, actors, and fans who praised her talent, kindness, and dedication to storytelling.
Many tributes described her as a visionary artist, a strong fighter, and a joyful soul who brought life to every project she touched. Industry players have called her passing a major loss to Uganda’s growing creative sector, noting that her work helped shape modern Ugandan cinema and inspired a new generation of filmmakers and performers.
Esteri Tebandeke is remembered not only for her performances on screen and stage but also for her quiet strength, commitment to African storytelling, and efforts to build platforms for other artists. Her legacy continues through the films, festivals, and creative spaces she helped create, leaving a lasting mark on Uganda’s cultural landscape.
She is survived by her husband Samuel and extended family, as the nation continues to celebrate her life and contributions to the arts.
