Afsa Umutesi

AFSA: Creative Producer

Afsa stands out as an award-winning creative producer celebrated for her multifaceted expertise. Her remarkable journey spans the realms of film production, concert and event curation and production, and a passion for nurturing East African arts on the global stage. Her mission is to not only elevate the region’s artistic offerings but also to create a thriving ecosystem that empowers young and aspiring talents to access the continent and the rest of the world.

As the Founder and Creative Director of CloneMe Studios, Afsa has spearheaded a dynamic platform that fosters collaboration and bridges the divide between creatives and brands. Under her guidance, CloneMe Studios has been instrumental in the production of music videos for emerging artists such as Tucker HD, Kohen Jaycee, Julius Ssese, and Likkle Bangi. Afsa’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity has ignited collaborations across Uganda’s diverse creative landscape.

At the helm of Malembe, Afsa serves as the Head of Production and Project Manager, overseeing the execution of some of Uganda’s most iconic concerts and events in recent history such as FireBoy, Burnaboy, Fally Ipupa, and others, in collaboration with Diageo brands such as Guinness and Johnnie Walker. Her contributions have orchestrated events that drew colossal crowds of over 10,000 enthusiasts.

Prior to her current roles, Afsa served as the COO at House of DJs, a premier event production firm, where she meticulously curated the renowned Blankets and Wine, a premier lifestyle event, for over 6 years. Collaborating with brands such as Stanbic Bank, Diageo’s Tusker Malt, and Coca-Cola, she transformed the event into a cultural phenomenon in the East Africa region. This four-times-a-year extravaganza featured performances by top artists including MiCasa, Liquideep, Oliver Mtukudzi, Maleek Berry, Freshly Ground, Jidenna, and many more local and global acts, consistently attracting audiences of over 5,000 attendees per event.

Beyond the music industry, Afsa is the Vice President of Kemistry Klass, a film production company dedicated to nurturing Ugandan filmmaking talents. She spearheaded the groundbreaking Five For 5 Fund, raising US$25,000 to empower five female Ugandan filmmakers to bring their visions to life. The resulting films garnered acclaim and awards at festivals such as the LA Independent Women Film Awards, Indie Short Fest, and Cine Odyssey Film Festival.

In her latest endeavor, “I Eat What I Like,” Afsa partnered with a young female writer/director to raise US$10,000 for film production. The project not only marks a creative milestone but also serves as a testament to her commitment to empowering emerging talents in the industry.

Afsa is also an alumna of Music In Africa's Gender at Work program, which she completed with distinction in the Music Business module.

In addition to elevating the region's artistic offerings, she aims to create a thriving ecosystem that empowers young and aspiring artists to access the continent and the world.