Uganda-
Itโs been over three months since the tragic incident of the Kiteezi Land-fill accident in Kampala-Uganda that claimed many lives, and attracted global attention.
As this the Ugandan government is till on hooks about it, while it still leaves many to ponder, Tembele, a Ugandan film released earlier on quite, had exposed the condition, though not attention was captured about it.
Could this have been a tip-off sighting this catastrophe? This feature film still resonates with todayโs reality, for it hints at Kampala’s deadly garbage status.
With Tembele majorly bringing to light how life situations affect mental health, the 1 hour 30 minutes Luganda, Rutooro, and Swahili film, with English subtitles, directed by Herbert Mugisha and Joan Agaba, indeed well visualizes this issue from the African perspective through its male character.
Starring Patriq Nkakalukanyi as Tembele, Cosmas Sselubogo as Segi, and Ronah Ninsiima as Mawe, the film introduces us to Tembeleโs life, a humble man who, with immense dedication and effort every morning, sets off to work as a garbage collector. It is an intense role, risky to health, and requires energy in delivery too. He always interacts with Segi, his work colleague and best friend, with whom they share dreams and lifeโs aspirations.
Happily contented with his job; to make a living as he scavenges through the mammoth heap of waste that forms a mountain of garbage in Kiteezi. Seating right on top of the open garbage truck with his workmates under the sun undoubtedly is his normal day at work, garbage place is his office.
This film narrows into detail what the world of garbage is. Kiteezi landfill is the actual set scene, that gives life to this filmโs striking motion images; piles of waste where scavenging is not only for birds, but humans too; for anything ranging from plastics, metals, broken electronics, or wearables that as garbage men; are curiously sorted through for old valuables one can sell to earn a living.
Although the filmโs plot rather focuses on how life hits harder at Tembele when he loses a son; to him nearly swallowed up by mental instabilities, he fights back to normalcy, the sorry state of the cityโs suburbs, where the film is majorly set; around a Garbage Site, vividly unveils the huge dumping site, its uncoordinated filth, and how endangered not only it is to the environment, but to the humans surving on it, and also residing closer due to the heavy garbage loads. This is Kiteezi, a ticking bomb, which later on claims lives.
The filmโs closing scenes reveal a ray of hope. Tembeleโs focus is invested in his new job after joining therapy sessions, he embraces reality and moves. Tembele is a true representation of hustle, of a typical African family man fighting back for stability in life for the sake of protecting all those under his care.
Following the death of over thirty people who were recently buried by the Garbage at this same site was an inquiry report that led to the dismissal of the Kampala City Council Authorityโs top officials.
Cross-Crosscutting Challenge
As Uganda still grapples with Waste Management issues, this seems a cross-cutting issue shared by neighboring Kenya, too, with areas like Dandora, whose residents hold greater uncertainty about the dumping siteโs felt effects. Nduba dumping cite in Rwanda, too holds its pending issues yet to be resolved.
According to sources; film’s release also caught the attention of unidentified government authorities, who initially silently reached out to the filmmakers with threats about this exposure. This proves how indeed the Kampala City Authourity officials was well awareof the land-fill’s grave-state, but paid a deaf ear.
Although it initially didn’t attract local attention, the 2021 rare motion picture film held its private debut screening at the Goethe Zentrum Kampala, while its first public screenings kicked off from September 16th till September 22.
Tembele was the best feature film in the 2022 Uganda Film Festival. By the Oscar committee, the film was further selected for the 95th Oscars Academy in the international feature film category, making it the first Ugandan film to register this mark.
The film earned 6 nominations in the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards(AMVCAโs), including Best Director and Best Feature Film. It was further selected in the 2023 Vues DโAfrique 39 Film Festival in Quebec, Ontario.
Emerging with 13 nominations at the 2022 Movie Academy Awards(AMAAs) in Lagos, Nigeria, it scooped the best Cinematography, hence beating over ten other films from across the globe. It was also selected for the 2022 Yarha International Film Festival in Yaounde, Cameroun, under the Long feature category.
Tembele was selected for the prestigious Africa International Film Festival( AFRIFF) in Victoria Island, Nigeria. At the 2023 Rwanda International Movie Awards ( RIMA), this film took home the awards for Best Director, Best Film, and Best Actor.
Hailing from a stronger background in photography and production, Moriss Herbert Mugisha is an Actor, film director, and reality Television star, who first hit the screens in 2008 when he represented Uganda in the Big Brother Africaโs third season.
His first short film, dubbed Stain, was well received, where it toppled the 2021 Uganda Film Festival (UFF), having received twelve nominations. It also scooped an award at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Use your God-given talent to highlight and give a voice to marginalized communities, challenging societal norms, prompting deep reflections and dialogue on important issues with the goal of inspiring change and raising awareness through creative expression~ Mugisha remarks.
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