Batwa film premieres in Kampala

At a time when global audiences are hungry for fresh, authentic narratives, Uganda’s creative industry is staking its claim on the world stage by turning to its roots.

The launch of The Keepers of the Forest: The Batwa Legacy on May 8, 2025, in Kampala is a declaration that Uganda’s stories deserve to be told by Ugandans, through Ugandan eyes, with Ugandan values at their heart.

Premiered at Alliance Française Kampala, this digital cinematic project by directors Lorna Atim Okeng and Emmanuel Rukundu blends ancestral wisdom with immersive storytelling formats like virtual reality and 3D technology.

Some of the actors being introduced to audience

The result is a powerful, deeply moving retelling of the Batwa people’s historical guardianship of the Virunga–Renzori forests.

“The story is inspired by the Batwa people of Kisoro and the unique bond they have with nature,” Okeng said, “Our film is a celebration of indigenous knowledge systems and how they can contribute meaningfully to today’s climate change solutions. These are people who, for centuries, lived in balance with nature—philosophies we must now revisit”.

Reconstructing a marginalised world
Shot entirely in Uganda’s lush Bwindi and Mgahinga forests, the film reconstructs, through digital innovation, a world long marginalised and misunderstood.

A panel dissects the movie

“Technology helped us travel back in time and recreate what we could only hear through folktales,”Rukundu said, adding: “Through 3D and virtual reality, we can now visualise destroyed or endangered ecosystems and preserve them for generations”.

But perhaps the most powerful message that emerged from the screening was not about forest conservation or even digital innovation, it was the need for Ugandans to reclaim and commercialise their creative identities.

Thinking commercially

Foreign affairs ministry head of public diplomacy Margaret Kafeero said: “Our job is to project Uganda’s best to the world. If it is a good product—a film, a song, a painting—we promote it through our embassies”.

“What we’re calling on creatives to do is not just to create but to think commercially. How can your creation become an export product that earns the country foreign exchange?”

Kafeero revealed that Uganda’s current economic strategy places the creative sector alongside tourism, science, and agro-processing in terms of growth potential.

“Gaming, music, film—these are part of the new economy. And they are mostly driven by our youth. They innovate 24/7, and their work is sellable internationally.”

She also highlighted that various government funds, particularly under the gender ministry are now available to support youth-led and women-led creative ventures.

French support
The Government’s shift towards embracing cultural diplomacy is mirrored in the philosophy behind The Keepers of the Forest. Rukundu, also a creative technologist, praised the support from the French Embassy’s SPICE initiative, which enabled the filmmakers to experiment with digital formats and reach new audiences.

“We’re showing that Uganda is not only rich in heritage but is also at the forefront of digital storytelling,” he said. “Art and technology are not enemies — they need each other. Art challenges tech, and tech gives art global reach.”

Guest during the premiering of the movie

For many in the audience, the film marked a turning point. Alliance Française de Kampala cultural co-ordinator Esther Louyat called the project “a groundbreaking virtual reality experience that pushes the boundaries of immersive storytelling, technology and cultural and environmental consciousness”.

 She described it as a “tool of advocacy” and “a call to immerse ourselves in the living memory of a forest”, underscoring Alliance Française’s commitment to nurturing creativity as a “collective force”.

In an era where African stories are often filtered through foreign perspectives, The Keepers of the Forest asserts a different path — one of ownership, pride, and cultural authenticity. “Africa is going through a renaissance,” Rukundu said.

“Our art, fashion, and music—they’re reshaping global culture. It’s time for us to own our stories, tell them our way, and make sure the world sees them as authentically ours.”

As the film embarks on its tour of digital film festivals and immersive exhibitions, with plans to reach schools and embassies, its message resonates loud and clear: Uganda’s creatives are not just telling stories — they’re building an industry, shaping a nation, and standing tall in their truth.