Treatment

“I was born only three years into Uganda’s independence, 1965. By the age of 7 my country was under the rule of dictator Idi Amin. We lived in the capital city of Kampala, not too far from Idi Amin’s compound. Although it would seem that living under a dictatorship is a difficult existence, my parents did not bring that tension and fear into the home. Things like that were not discussed and I lived a happy innocent childhood. As I approached young adulthood and began to understand and question what was happening around me the war had begun and the by April 1979 Idi Amin was overthrown.” This opens CLOSER TO HOME, shot on Mini-DV; my voice is heard along with visuals depicting my childhood. Photos of me as a child, of my family and scenes to be shot in Kampala of children playing and attending school; these scenes are inter-cut with newspaper headlines, maps of the region, text and archival footage of Uganda during those years.

Text on screen: “March 1979 the Tanzanian Army reaches Kampala”. Medium shot of me looking into the camera as I describe the day our house was bombed as the Tanzanian Army attacked the city. The picture fades in and out as I recount that horrific day. It is this time that has haunted me for so many years. It is this memory that has kept me away for so very long.

We cut to London present day. I am sitting in my mother’s flat discussing with her how they came to the decision to send me away. It was 9 months after Idi Amin was gone when my parents sent me to America. The peace that was hoped for after the fall of Idi Amin did not come. What does she remember from that time? Why was it then, December 1979, that they put me on that plane? As I travel back for the first time in all these years, what does she think I should do, who does she think I should talk to, what are her hopes for my journey?

I arrive in Uganda. I am now with my father. He and my mother separated years ago and he has remained in Uganda. I have only seen my father once in 26 years when he visited England in 1998. How is he doing? Why did he, through all the instability, never leave? Does he have any advice for me as I venture out to rediscover Uganda?

Before I can understand the Uganda of today I must start with what I remember. Upon my arrival I make my way to the capital city of Kampala. I drive down the city’s main thoroughfare known as Kampala road. The scene is that of the open door markets, storefronts, and people going about their daily duties. The camera follows me as I walk through the crowded streets on this busy morning. I make my way down Kampala Road as I search for the market my parents used to take me when I was a child. Is it still there? Does it still look the same? Amidst my reflections and observations traditional Ugandan music is playing softly as the landscape of the city unfolds.

In further exploration of my memories of home I visit my grandparents at the place they are buried. The ability to go to the graveside of my loved ones is a simple thing that can so easily be taken for granted.

I finally go back to the place of so much inner strife. I return to the apartment where I grew up and spent my last days before leaving for America. This place is one of both joy and horror. It is my childhood home, a symbol of love and family, and at the same time as I stand in this neighborhood; I am reminded of the day the bombs fell. Is there still an apartment in this space? What does it mean to be back here, and what can be learned from the people that might now use this space?

From my retracing the past I must move into the present. It will be through conversations with people in the country that I hope to reacquaint myself to this place. Of the people I will look to they fall into three different categories. First, there are those like my father, who never left. What made him stay? How did he get along in those difficult times?

Then there are those who are my peers. People in the Ugandan community that left as I did, many years ago, but have since returned. Why did they come back? What do they see in the country now that brings them here? One such individual is Gaetona Kaggwa. Gaetona left Uganda at the very young age of eight and moved to neighboring Kenya and eventually moved to England for fifteen years. He returned to Uganda four years ago to study law and is currently involved with the Youth AIDS group. His perspective is one in that it brings us to our third group of people, the youth of Uganda.

Current statistics of Uganda say that approximately 50.1% of Ugandans are 14 years old or younger. These are the voices that will tell the story of the new Uganda. How do they see their country? What do they want me to know?

I have tried to stay informed about Uganda. I read Ugandan newspapers online. And amongst issues like AIDS, poverty, violence in the north of the country is one issue that I am currently watching very closely from America. Reminiscent of when I left, Uganda is once again at a critical point in its democracy. President Museveni has been ruling since 1986. Museveni's term was to be over according to the constitution. In the past year he has amended the constitution to eliminate term limits, He had imprisoned his chief opponent in the election and charged him with treason. Again Uganda's stability was in question. The elections of February 23, 2006 went off without bloodshed. Museveni was to remain in office. It was to be Uganda’s first multi-party election.

What will the political situation be on my arrival? What direction is the country heading in?

Stories about Africa are rarely told. And when they are it is often told by Western voices. My use of conversations to lead me through this piece allows me to learn first hand from the people of Uganda, what has become of my country. As we talk with people we see them in their environment. And I get a glimpse into what my life may have been like had I never left. Closer to Home is my opportunity to provide an intimate look at this African country through this pilgrimage.

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