Sarah Kizza Nsigaye was left in shock after stumbling upon harrowing statistics pointing out that over 70% of Uganda’s population lives in the rural areas that have no access to mainstream media and rely mostly on community radios. This meant their voices were not being heard. She knew there and then that she had to do something.
Conscious of the role that media could play in solving problems different communities face, the former journalist decided to start Native Voices International in 2014, a non-profit making organization that applies cultural resources particularly film, music, dance and drama and transforms them in to media and art for communities’ self-determination.
“This we do by providing communities with useful information and a platform to analyze, share, embrace or discard what they think is not in line with their aspirations. We also engage communities as the audience and subject by filming beauty shots in their villages, hold focus group discussions, community dramas and interviews, which we screen to the entire community later the same evening. Seeing people from their communities on the big screen motivates them to participate in the dialogues. This always gives us instant feedback, which helps understand community interests and positions.”
This initiative proved a success but with time they realized in order to make lasting impact, they needed to impart the locals with film making skills and equipment to enable them capture their stories and show case them in their communities and discuss solutions to their challenges.
“In 2016 and 2017, we trained over ninety filmmaking aspirants in the seven districts of Karamoja that include Napak, Moroto, Nakapiripiriti, Kaabong, Kotido, Amudat and Abim, because as a region their voice has been suppressed and stereo typed a lot.”
Last year, Native Voices International successfully trained sixty filmmakers from six districts of Rwenzori region like Kasese, Kamwenge, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo, with keen interest in the marginalized Bwamba, Bakonzo and Basongola communities.
“In light of the fact that women are marginalized and most affected by negative cultural practices yet conscious of the fact that they are the drivers of development, we ensure to enable women participation in all our trainings.”
The organization is also the brains behind the annual Celebrating Womanhood Festival, that seeks to celebrate women’s achievements, reinforce commitment to the women agenda, elevate the women profile through profiling their achievements and contributions, provide networking opportunities, interrogate their challenges as well as advocate for enabling environment and policies.
The festival comprises of several film screenings, film and training workshops, , panel discussions and concludes with the awards giving gala.
The Awards are named after gallant women such as, Maya Angelou, Malala Yousfzai, Wangari Maathai, Fatuma Abdurallai, Joan Kagezi, Sarah Ntiro, Miria Matembe and Yvonne Namaganda.
Earlier this year, Sarah was awarded the Diamond Honorees award, that seeks to recognize women who have impacted their communities positively.
