Uganda: Watch Bosmic Otim documentary

The five-minute documentary premiered on 1 May. It was shot and directed by Edward H Stubber alongside Anena Kevin Okumu in 2019. The rest of the crew wish to remain anonymous due to recent political unrest in the country.

While the film documents Otim’s work, it is ultimately an inspiring tale about a community refusing to give up hope despite the odds stacked against it – including lack of health care, education and road infrastructure.

Anti Progress calls on the Ugandan government to offer equal opportunities for those living in the region. Between 1970 and 2000, the region was engulfed in war and suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Joseph Kony-led Lord’s Resistance Army. After the war ended, residents were forced into resettlement camps while the federal government continued to disenfranchise the region. Uganda’s Northern Region typically receive less financial support than the rest of the country.

“We believe the government is not creating opportunities for progress, but rather their actions are taking the country backwards through unorthodox silencing of visionaries and activists,” Okumu told Music In Africa.

In one scene in Anti Progress, Otim sings that Ugandans are still feeling the loss of Apollo Milton Obote, the country’s first prime minister and president, as the difficulties of daily life continue to mount under the rule of President Yoweri Museveni. In reality, Obote’s reign was marred by arbitrary detentions, but Okumu says that was when the country experienced relative political stability and economic prosperity. 

“Since 1986, when Museveni took over power, the region has been alienated from the rest of the country,” she said. “Otim’s music addresses issues affecting his community, and you will not hear him sugarcoat the truth.”

Over the years, several musicians have shown interest to join Otim in his advocacy, but the fear of persecution has seen them take a back seat. Otim was allied to the People Power movement, which was formed four years ago by musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine as a resistance pressure group to unite young Ugandans against corruption and human rights abuses.

Shortly after this mini-documentary was filmed, Otim and a group of young people separated from People Power while others have since been illegally imprisoned over their involvement in anti-Museveni protests.

“Several of them have been released but they return traumatised and with many injuries – their teeth pulled out and toenails torn out,” Okumu said. “Even now, citizens are mysteriously disappearing or losing their lives in unclear circumstances.” 

She added: “I am not a prophet of doom, but if this trend continues, I foresee a lot of unrest in the country, which will mean harsher economic times, especially for the 80% youth population that is unemployed.”

Anti Progress was sponsored by non-profit organisations SABAA Education and the Hope Center in Gulu to highlight artists using their voices for positive change. 

Watch Anti Progress below: