‘The Last King’ has put me on a pedestalâ€" Mukiibi
Feb 22, 2007
His father wanted him to be an engineer. It did not happen. Today, of the local actors, Abbey Mukiibi, shares the most screen time and a compelling role as Masanga, Idi Amin’s chief of security in the critically acclaimed The Last King of Scotland. <b>Emma Ssejjengo and Ssebidde Kiryowa</b> talked
His father wanted him to be an engineer. It did not happen. Today, of the local actors, Abbey Mukiibi, shares the most screen time and a compelling role as Masanga, Idi Amin’s chief of security in the critically acclaimed The Last King of Scotland. Emma Ssejjengo and Ssebidde Kiryowa talked to the man who could easily become Uganda’s saving grace in an era where Africa is fast becoming the next goldmine for Hollywood exploits.
Question: You are the local actor with the most important role and most screen time in The Last King of Scotland, a big Hollywood production. How do you feel?
Answer: For every artist, such big movies are what would be termed as attaining the peak. So, you get excited. And you are eager to further your career hoping it brings other opportunities to you. You need to bank on it and strike the rod while it is still hot.
Just like in Sometimes in April, you play a villainous character in The Last King of Scotland. Do you get the feeling that you are being typecast when it comes to cinema?
- At the beginning, you need to show where you can shine best. Perhaps, the directors feel those are the roles I can play best. But in Sometimes in April, I was not originally a member of the cast. The original guy failed to turn up in Kigali so Ugandans were called upon to fill the roles. With time, I will prove that I am versatile.
What was special about you that made you the perfect candidate for the role?
- I went through the auditions with many others. So, I knew I had to prove that I was the best. I had to show the director the best of me. When I was told that the character was without any emotion, I took it on like that. I also got on a piece with Whitaker during auditions and he nodded. That helped too.
Was it intimidating working with internationally acclaimed actors and a director?
- At first, it was — seeing that these are people of international repute. I did not know them in person and I did not know what they wanted. But they prepared me for it. We used to go out together to places like Speke Resort Munyonyo and Whitaker visited me. We told each other many stories and just became friends. With such a relationship, it ceased to be intimidating.
Your name does not appear on the official movie poster? Do you see any Hollywood politics at play here?
- I look at things in the commercial sense. This is just the beginning so such credit may not come to me. But what Abby does on screen now will shout out in the future. But it is just funny how in the makeshift video halls in my home area, my name appears first on those small boards placed at the entrances. And against the name, they inscribe (Omwana Wokukaalo – son of the soil).
Any misgivings about the movie?
- I do not regret anything that we did. But there were parts you felt you did your best and were edited out. There was a part where I run across the president’s lawn with such energy. It was very artistically done but it is missing. The sex scenes give me goose pimples. For that naked guy who runs around, it was a cultural shock!
Has your role in the The Last King cast any opportunities your way?
- I have talked to Forrest Whitaker and James McVoy and they both want to continue working with me. For them, it is just a matter of time. There are also a number of agents who have contacted me but nothing has been finalised yet. I am still talking to Long L in the US and Jeanny J and Spelling both based in the UK. There is also something cooking with Kevin MacDonald but it has not been cemented.
After featuring in these big movies and with a promise of more coming your way, are you going to remain on the local scene?
- I have got to retain my roots. So, I am very available on the local scene. Wherever I go, I will remain a property of my local audience because they made me what I am. That is a step in the right direction and I hope the local audience understands when I have to be away.
Has your theatrical background influenced your silver screen successes?
- I would say it contributed 99%. There are things people never appreciate until they are there. MDD (Music Dance and Drama) is something great. It taught me how to act and direct for the stage, radio and screen. And the hardships I have gone through in theatre battered me and put me in shape. I used to endure more than 12 straight hours on set because I had been battered for it.
There is a lot of talk in the foreign press about how Hollywood films shot in Africa (like Blood Diamonds in Mozambique, Hotel Rwanda in South Africa, The Constant Gardener in Nairobi) exploit African actors. What’s your take on this?
- Sometimes in April had a big budget. But we were told right from the start that The Last King of Scotland was going to be a low budget movie. John Nagenda (presidential advisor on the media) also told us. But at the end of the day, it was about your power to negotiate. But you cannot talk about exploitation when you do not even know your worth. With my past experience in Sometimes in April, I had a slight advantage over others. In Kigali, an agent ably advised me straight away.
During the premiere of the movie, you were shoved off the red carpet. What was that all about?
- It was unfair. I think the security detail was not well informed so I do not blame them. I followed the rules and I did not want to spoil my day so I let it pass. I think the foreign crew was given the deserved attention and we used the opportunity to be promoted. When we had been ignored by the foreign press, Steven Rwangyezi put up a fight and they recognised us. Whitaker also called me by his side and insisted that this was not about him only. “Abby, we did this together,†he said.
How has this movie changed your life?
- It has put me on a pedestal. So, whatever I do now everyone notices. Whatever I do artistically is judged by the standards of my performance in The Last King. My role in theatre has to be done to perfection now because no one is willing to take mediocrity from me.
Socially, everyone seems to know who I am. I am overwhelmed by the volume of e-mails from fans all over the world (mainly Ugandans in the Diaspora), most of whom shower praises on me for my portrayal of Masanga. I have also met the president, among other people who walk up to me.
Factfile
Inspiration: Omugave Ndugwa, his uncle.
During his Senior Six vacation, he worked in a Los Angeles, USA, theatre as a stage attendant.
First payment: $7.5 (sh13,000) per day.
Started acting after Senior Six vacation in Black Pearls
1993: Joined Music Dance and Drama at Makerere University on advice of (the late) Rose Mbowa
1995: Formed Afri-Diamonds’ alongside Mariam Ndagire, John Segawa and Kato Lubwama
2000: Formed Afri-talent where he is a director and actor todate
2002-2005: Played Mr Lubwama, the protagonist, in the popular WBS TV soap Esitaano
2004: Film debut in Sometimes in April, an acclaimed movie on the Rwanda genocide. President Paul Kagame rewarded him with $2,500 (sh4.4m).
Question: You are the local actor with the most important role and most screen time in The Last King of Scotland, a big Hollywood production. How do you feel?
Answer: For every artist, such big movies are what would be termed as attaining the peak. So, you get excited. And you are eager to further your career hoping it brings other opportunities to you. You need to bank on it and strike the rod while it is still hot.
Just like in Sometimes in April, you play a villainous character in The Last King of Scotland. Do you get the feeling that you are being typecast when it comes to cinema?
- At the beginning, you need to show where you can shine best. Perhaps, the directors feel those are the roles I can play best. But in Sometimes in April, I was not originally a member of the cast. The original guy failed to turn up in Kigali so Ugandans were called upon to fill the roles. With time, I will prove that I am versatile.
What was special about you that made you the perfect candidate for the role?
- I went through the auditions with many others. So, I knew I had to prove that I was the best. I had to show the director the best of me. When I was told that the character was without any emotion, I took it on like that. I also got on a piece with Whitaker during auditions and he nodded. That helped too.
Was it intimidating working with internationally acclaimed actors and a director?
- At first, it was — seeing that these are people of international repute. I did not know them in person and I did not know what they wanted. But they prepared me for it. We used to go out together to places like Speke Resort Munyonyo and Whitaker visited me. We told each other many stories and just became friends. With such a relationship, it ceased to be intimidating.
Your name does not appear on the official movie poster? Do you see any Hollywood politics at play here?
- I look at things in the commercial sense. This is just the beginning so such credit may not come to me. But what Abby does on screen now will shout out in the future. But it is just funny how in the makeshift video halls in my home area, my name appears first on those small boards placed at the entrances. And against the name, they inscribe (Omwana Wokukaalo – son of the soil).
Any misgivings about the movie?
- I do not regret anything that we did. But there were parts you felt you did your best and were edited out. There was a part where I run across the president’s lawn with such energy. It was very artistically done but it is missing. The sex scenes give me goose pimples. For that naked guy who runs around, it was a cultural shock!
Has your role in the The Last King cast any opportunities your way?
- I have talked to Forrest Whitaker and James McVoy and they both want to continue working with me. For them, it is just a matter of time. There are also a number of agents who have contacted me but nothing has been finalised yet. I am still talking to Long L in the US and Jeanny J and Spelling both based in the UK. There is also something cooking with Kevin MacDonald but it has not been cemented.
After featuring in these big movies and with a promise of more coming your way, are you going to remain on the local scene?
- I have got to retain my roots. So, I am very available on the local scene. Wherever I go, I will remain a property of my local audience because they made me what I am. That is a step in the right direction and I hope the local audience understands when I have to be away.
Has your theatrical background influenced your silver screen successes?
- I would say it contributed 99%. There are things people never appreciate until they are there. MDD (Music Dance and Drama) is something great. It taught me how to act and direct for the stage, radio and screen. And the hardships I have gone through in theatre battered me and put me in shape. I used to endure more than 12 straight hours on set because I had been battered for it.
There is a lot of talk in the foreign press about how Hollywood films shot in Africa (like Blood Diamonds in Mozambique, Hotel Rwanda in South Africa, The Constant Gardener in Nairobi) exploit African actors. What’s your take on this?
- Sometimes in April had a big budget. But we were told right from the start that The Last King of Scotland was going to be a low budget movie. John Nagenda (presidential advisor on the media) also told us. But at the end of the day, it was about your power to negotiate. But you cannot talk about exploitation when you do not even know your worth. With my past experience in Sometimes in April, I had a slight advantage over others. In Kigali, an agent ably advised me straight away.
During the premiere of the movie, you were shoved off the red carpet. What was that all about?
- It was unfair. I think the security detail was not well informed so I do not blame them. I followed the rules and I did not want to spoil my day so I let it pass. I think the foreign crew was given the deserved attention and we used the opportunity to be promoted. When we had been ignored by the foreign press, Steven Rwangyezi put up a fight and they recognised us. Whitaker also called me by his side and insisted that this was not about him only. “Abby, we did this together,†he said.
How has this movie changed your life?
- It has put me on a pedestal. So, whatever I do now everyone notices. Whatever I do artistically is judged by the standards of my performance in The Last King. My role in theatre has to be done to perfection now because no one is willing to take mediocrity from me.
Socially, everyone seems to know who I am. I am overwhelmed by the volume of e-mails from fans all over the world (mainly Ugandans in the Diaspora), most of whom shower praises on me for my portrayal of Masanga. I have also met the president, among other people who walk up to me.
Factfile
Inspiration: Omugave Ndugwa, his uncle.
During his Senior Six vacation, he worked in a Los Angeles, USA, theatre as a stage attendant.
First payment: $7.5 (sh13,000) per day.
Started acting after Senior Six vacation in Black Pearls
1993: Joined Music Dance and Drama at Makerere University on advice of (the late) Rose Mbowa
1995: Formed Afri-Diamonds’ alongside Mariam Ndagire, John Segawa and Kato Lubwama
2000: Formed Afri-talent where he is a director and actor todate
2002-2005: Played Mr Lubwama, the protagonist, in the popular WBS TV soap Esitaano
2004: Film debut in Sometimes in April, an acclaimed movie on the Rwanda genocide. President Paul Kagame rewarded him with $2,500 (sh4.4m).