Esteri Tebandeke is a renowned Ugandan filmmaker, actress, dancer, storyteller, and visual artist. She gained international recognition through her role in the Walt Disney Studios film Queen of Katwe (2016), where she starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o. Esteri is also the founder of the Binti Film Festival, which highlights African women’s stories in cinema. Her work stretches across several countries including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and the United States.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Esteri Tebandeke |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| State of Origin | Teso |
| Partner | Samuel Tebandeke (married 2011), filmmaker |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actress, dancer, storyteller, visual artist, filmmaker, producer |
| Net Worth | $100,000-$500,000 |
Early Life and Education
Born on May 16, 1984, in Kampala, Uganda, Esteri grew up in a large blended family with a strong creative influence, especially from her father who nurtured her love for film. She attended St. Joseph’s Girl’s Secondary School, where she took part in drama and dance activities, setting the foundation for her artistic career.
Esteri later pursued higher education at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art, Makerere University, specializing in fabric decoration, which enriched her multidisciplinary artistic approach.
Career
Esteri started as a contemporary dancer in 2008 performing with various Ugandan dance companies and has showcased her talent both locally and internationally, including prestigious venues such as La Mama in New York and the New Orleans Fringe Festival.
She transitioned into theatre acting the same year with her debut role in The Lion and The Jewel, followed by diverse roles in productions such as Maria Kizito and Cooking Oil. Her film work includes early projects like Sins of the Parents and Master on Duty, culminating in her memorable role in Queen of Katwe.
She also contributed to science fiction with Her Broken Shadow and has directed and produced short films like Little Black Dress alongside her husband Samuel Tebandeke, with whom she co-founded Six Guys Productions. Esteri is committed to telling authentic African stories through her projects and the Binti Film Festival.
Personal Life
Esteri is married to filmmaker Samuel Tebandeke since 2011. They collaborate professionally, running Six Guys Productions together.
In 2015, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, which advanced to end-stage kidney disease by 2022, necessitating a preemptive kidney transplant. This health challenge deeply impacted her life and career, influencing her artistic direction and priorities. Public information regarding children is not available.
Net Worth
Esteri Tebandeke’s estimated net worth is in the range of $100,000 to $500,000. This estimate considers her steady work across film, theatre, and dance, along with her entrepreneurial ventures in film production and festival founding, reflecting a moderate but growing financial standing in the creative industry.
Filmography
- Sins of the Parents (2008) — Sister
- Master on Duty (2009) — Vicky
- Queen of Katwe (2016) — Sara Katende
- Her Broken Shadow (2016) — Adongo and Apio
- Imperial Blue (2019) — Kisakye
- Little Black Dress (2019) — Dee (also director/producer)
- Family Tree (2019) — Margaret
- Downhill (forthcoming) — Catherine Bagaya
- Kahawa Black (forthcoming) — Kana Wamba (also producer)
Awards and Nominations
Esteri’s film Little Black Dress was selected for competition at the Africa International Film Festival and the Luxor African Film Festival. She gained wider international recognition through Queen of Katwe, a film that received multiple award nominations, contributing to her standing as an influential figure in African cinema.
