UGANDA

Based out of Wakaliga, a slum in Kampala with roughly 2,000 residents, Wakaliwood is Uganda’s newly booming cinema industry. The low budget films are produced, directed, written, and filmed by Isaac Nabwana, a school teacher. Props are DIY, created by Dauda Bisaso, out of scraps of PVC pipes, metal, and just about anything else. The compound is located in one of the lowest and most flood-prone areas. It includes a rehearsal space, which doubles as a home for many of the actors, a recording studio, four back rooms for tenants, and a small shake to sell scrap metals. The main home was built by Nabwana using handmade bricks. He, his wife and coeditor, and their three children reside in it. Nabwana’s dream began in 2009 with music videos, but quickly escalated with a budget of only $200. Since its creation, Wakaliwood has inspired over 500 production companies within Uganda.

 

Having grown up during Idi Amin’s reign, Nabwana's Wakaliwood is a dream come true for many Ugandans. His production company, Ramon Film Productions, has pioneered a new means of engaging the community and making the most out of very little. The production company involves the small community in as many ways as possible despite their minimal pay. One such example is an extension of the company that teaches children Kung-Fu. The realization of this dream demonstrates how Uganda has worked hard to recover from the stain of Idi Amin, despite still not having a truly democratic and free government (m12).