default header
19 February 2009
Ugandan-American Filmmaker Discusses AIDS, Other Issues in Africa
CO.NX webchat transcript, February 19
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Ugandan-American filmmaker, photographer, director and actor, answered questions in a CO.NX webchat on February 19. He talked about how he addresses HIV/AIDS, race, poverty, war and other global issues through film.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
A Ugandan American’s Story
Guest: Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Date: February 19, 2009
Time: 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT)
Webchat Moderator [Sarah]: Welcome to our chat! Mr. Mwine will be live on February 19 at 07:30 GMT, but we are taking your questions now.
Webchat Moderator [Tim]: Yvette Alta Raphael from South Africa wrote: Wow would Love to be part of this discussion as HIV is ravaging our country Yvette SA
Webchat Moderator [Tim]: Rico Michael Bradley from Indonesia wrote: Hi there, my name is Rico Michael Bradley, I am a film maker in Indonesia, and I am currently also is making a movie about AIDS with the intention to create discussion and understanding about the condition, theres seem to a negative understanding and a person who have AIDS seems to be always put to judgment as having done something bad or a victim of family cursed, and the whole alternative healing that promises to cure to virus..so many eyes needs to be opened. I would really love to get some inputs, I am looking forward to join the chat. thanks for setting this up, and I hope this is a beginning of other events such as this.. God bless you all.
Webchat Moderator [Tim]: Komal Sahu from India wrote: I live in Mumbai and work with children who are orphaned by this virus and are infected themselves. We find it difficult to get counsellors to speak to these children. I would love to know if there is a medium that can raise the topic of HIV and bring hope and awareness of the disease and deals with life with HIV for these kids.
Webchat Moderator [Tim]: Welcome to our chat! Mr. Mwine will be live on February 19 at 07:30 GMT, but we are taking your questions now.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks so much for being with us today. Please continue to submit your questions for Mr. Mwine. We will begin shortly.
Comment [IRC Kampala 2]: Good morning, am Neil Frank Yiga from Kampala
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Hello and welcome!
Comment [IRC kampala 4]: Hello we are kiragga fredrick and james from kampala
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Mr. Mwine is just getting logged in now. He will be online momentarily.
Comment [IRC Kampala 3]: HULLO I am KALUUBA FLORENCE from KAMPALA a teacher trainer, training youth 75% teen mothers for employment and job making opportunity
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Welcome!
Answer [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Hello everyone! Glad we are able to connect on this world wide web chat. I am currently writing to you from Los Angeles, California. Glad to see that is Uganda is so well represented in the group thus far. I hope to be there in June/July. Perhaps we can meet in person then. In the meantime I am looking forward to answering your questions here.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: We see your questions coming in, thank you! Mr. Mwine is reviewing them now from his location in Los Angeles, California. Your moderators are located in Washington, D.C.
Question [susan]: Mr. Mwine, thanks for the great work you are doing in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Where in Uganda can I get your film documentaries? I have only seen the 'Tree in the seed'. How much do they cost? How have ugandans been benefitting from your documentaries and theater? Have you other information dissemination media that you have been using to pass on HIV/AIDS messages? Thanks
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: The films Biro and Beware of Time are not yet available on DVD in Uganda. But they are available for purchase through my website http://www.bewareoftime.com/.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: You can watch Mr. Mwine's “Beware of Time” movie trailer at http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/trailers/biro.mov
Comment [IRC Kampala 6]: I am Harriet from Kampala; happy to join Ntare for this webchat.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Hello Harriet, welcome to our chat. Mr. Mwine is working on everyone's questions now.
Comment [IRC Kampala]: Hello Ntare, I'm from uganda and name is mukasa Abdul Nassar councilor LCIII makindye division kampala. its nice to hear the wonderful work you are doing
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Welcome to the webchat.
Q [Zubedah Nanfuka]: I have great respect for Mr. Ntare and hiw contribution towards fighting HIV/AIDS. His focus on theatre and film production as a way of reaching out is definately spot on, and timely in a world that is increasingly becoming more visual by the day. This coincides with a research paper for my masters thesis on the journalists' role in fighting HIV/AIDS in Uganda, where we now have active journalists publicly mobilizing support and awareness about the disease through their personal experiences. My question therefore, is does he think that professionals, in their respective fields can make a difference in regards to the HIV/AIDS matter or is this something, that is best left to government health ministries to combat at national level?. Thanks. Zubedah Nanfuka
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Zubedah congrats on the pursuit of your Masters in journalism. I believe that wherever there is a will there is a way. So everyone can make a difference!
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: While we wait for Mr. Mwine to address your questions, please feel free to vote in our poll.
Q [Lee]: Hello Mr. Mwine! Were you born in US? Have you travelled to Africa and to Uganda?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Hi Lee. I was born in Hanover, New Hampshire which is in the U.S. Both of my parents have since returned to Uganda and I have been fortunate to visit them quite often over the years.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: To learn more about AIDs prevention and AIDs in Africa, please see the transcript of our webchat with Dr. Amita Gupta. We discussed AIDs with her on World Aids Day. http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2008/December/20081202142659xjsnommis9.777468e-02.html
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: We see your many questions coming in...Mr. Mwine is working as quickly as he can to answer as many as he can.
Q [IRC kampala 4]: How can people under taking research in HIV/AIDs be helped as in getting the latest informatoin on HIV/AIDs?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: If you have access to the internet that is a wonderful place to start your research. Another great resource as you may already know is TASO, which has offices in many parts of Uganda
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: More information on President Obama’s HIV/AIDS plan can be found here: http://nationalaidsstrategy.org/OBAMAFactSheetAIDS.pdf
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Here is a link to President Obama’s Africa policy:http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/January/20090115150627WCyeroC0.4203455.html?CP.rss=true and http://www.america.gov/world/africa.html
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: The TASO site can be found at http://www.tasouganda.org/
Q [IRC Kampala 5]: Tyaba Charles, I am of the architects in the effort to establish a professional film industry in Uganda, how can we collabolate with film makers in America especially in promoting and protecting their films from piracy?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Mira Nair set up a film lab in Uganda that aims to do create the collaboration you mentioned. http://www.maishafilmlab.com/.
Comment [IRC Kampala 5]: Chris here. Wow, if you were born in New Hampshire then I must commend you for mimicking that thick kinyankole accent in your play Biro. Bravo!
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: If New Hampshire is new to you, take a look at their visitor's site to learn more: http://www.visitnh.gov/
Q [IRC Kampala 2]: Hello Mr. Mwine, glad to be a part of this webchat. Neil Frank here, I've been doing sensitisations on HIV/AIDS, especially prevention techniques specifically the 'Be a man' campaign under the organisation of Young Empowered and Healthy [YEAH], an initiative by the Uganda AIDS Commission with other partners funded by USAID, and we've noticed that the spread of HIV/AIDS especially here in Uganda is escallating because of Male gender norms...most of them traditional. For example "Being a 'real man' means having several sexual partners". Did you happen to have any videos on addressing the issue of masculinity as a contributor to the spread of the pandemic?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Hi Neil, my play BIRO is the closest thing I have that addresses the issue of masculinity as a contributor to the spread of the pandemic. As you may know, the character in the play tried to be "a real man" and he ends up paying a high price for it.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: I see from the excellent questions that many of you are working to prevent the spread of AIDS and to help those with AIDS. What are some of the challenges you have faced? Do you use art, film, or theater in your work?
Comment [IRC Kampala]: Mr. Ntare you are doing wonderful work and don't thing your services are more needed in developing countries than else where in the world and what have you done about it.
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Thank you for the kind words about my work. I try to balance my time in both the developing countries and elsewhere in the world. It has been a tricky balancing act. But I am working to continue building bridges.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: You can learn more about AIDS in Africa here http://www.avert.org/aidsinafrica.htm
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Specific information on Uganda and AIDS is here: http://www.avert.org/aidsuganda.htm
Q [IRC kampala 4]: Don’t you think it is very unfair to advocate for family planing while AIDS is claiming humanity to depletion?
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Do you all agree? Feel free to submit your comments and opinions.
Q [IRC Kampala 6]: Mr Ntare, does your work address the socioeconomic constraints affecting women and girls particularly as regards the HIV pandemic? In Africa women account for 60% of the total infections. Mainly due to inability to negotiate if, when and whether and how they should have sex.
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: Great question. On average most of the participants I have worked with when conducting workshops in various parts of Africa have been women. I think it would be safe to say that more than 60% of the workshop participants have been women. This has made for a very rich exchange having the women in the majority.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: To learn more about partnerships between American universities and Africa in combating HIV/AIDS, go to: http://www.america.gov/st/health-english/2009/February/20090116144136abretnuh0.688741.html?CP.rss=true
Comment [IRC Kampala]: Its not unfair to advocate for family planning while AIDS is claiming. Its important to have a sizeable number of people that can be well managed, cared for other than having to many people where there is less services for all. Few sizeable numbers enables the government to plan for its people.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Based on the interest in HIV/AIDS prevention and the many questions coming in, we will look to schedule additional webchats on this topic. Are there particular aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention and care that would be of most interest to you in terms of the speakers we select?
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks for your thoughts.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Also, there are some film makers in the audience today, are you interested in future webchats on the topic of film production?
Q [IRC kampala 4]: Don't you think life prolonging drugs are a hurdle to the fight against HIV/AIDS?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: I believe that having access to life prolonging drugs for those who are living with HIV is more of a benefit than a hurdle in the fight against HIV/AIDS
Comment [IRC Kampala 5]: This is a comment for Kristin the moderator from Chris Ocamringa. I don't think it is unfair to advocate for family planning when Aids is depleting the human race because Aids can be avoided. Even if we encouraged people to procreate, they would also be wiped out by HIV/AIDS. It's better that we deal with HIV separately!
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks for sharing, Chris!
Q [Lee]: As an actor in Hollywood, do you help tell the story of Africa to your friends and other actors? Are they interested in learning about this continent?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: I do try and tell the stories of Africa even while working in Hollywood. In fact my latest job was on the TV show HEROES. I play an African role in the show whose super power is that he can paint the future. You can view previous episodes online at http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/. I shot ten episodes in season three.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Please feel free to share your thoughts on future chats by voting in our poll. If a topic you are interested is not listed, please submit it to us. Thanks!
Q [IRC Kampala]: COUNSELLING IS VITAL THING IN FIGHTING HIV/AIDS HOW WILL THE PLAY HELP THE PATIENTS AND COUNSELORS
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: In my play BIRO, the character says "If you are hiding meat from the fire, how will you roast it" This is an attempt to push any patient or counselor who may be hiding to keep the fight going!
Q [IRC kampala 4]: Any significant impact you have seen in your documentaries bring reduction in HIV/AIDs in developing world?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: I have not seen any studies on how the documentaries I made have affected the pandemic. However, what I have seen is how the play opened up dialogue on a number of issues that had been swept under the rug.
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Please join our facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov to learn more about upcoming programs. You can also give us feedback on this program. We are so glad that you have joined us today. Mr. Mwine will answer a few more questions.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: We will look at hosting more sessions to address the topics you are raising today including HIV/AIDS and the film industry questions.
Q [IRC kampala 4]: Clarify on the issue of discordance, which still beats the understanding of many researchers globally?
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: This one is beyond my realm of expertise. It seems to have baffled quite a few people. But as the saying goes it is better to be safe than sorry. So always take preventative measures!
Comment [IRC Kampala]: Hi, well done I am Mbajja, the adherence officer JCRC, Mengo.
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: Thanks for joining us today! Mr. Mwine is working on some final answers.
Q [IRC Kampala]: Mr. Ntare, from you experience as film maker in making a difference in HIV/AID, what do you consider to be your greatest strength in fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa
A [Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine]: I think my strength is my curiosity. I am infinitely curious and hopeful. I will quote one of the women who was in a workshop I conducted in Gulu a number of years ago who said. "To me HIV means Hope Is Vital" Thank you all for participating in this webchat. I am sorry I wasn't able to answer all of your wonderful questions. I hope we get to continue the conversation another time. Perhaps in the virtual world now that we have met in cyberspace. I am now signing off till the next time we meet.
Peace & love, Ntare
Webchat Moderator [Kristin]: Thanks so much for joining us, Mr Mwine!
Comment [IRC Kampala]: Thank u
Webchat Moderator [Mark]: The Webchat is now closed. We wish to thank Mr. Mwine for joining us today. A transcript of today's webchat will be posted to http://co-nx.state.gov and to http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html within one business day. Speakers are chosen for their expertise and may not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.
(end transcript)
