How is the lockdown?
It is hard, because it found us filming one of our series which we could not put on hold. But good thing is, we had planned ahead. We had put in place accommodation for most of our crew and cast, such that in the event of a lockdown, everybody is on set and filming continues.
However, the main challenge is that we have other locations that are away from Mutungo our main location, but we have managed to get some movement permits with the help of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Where do you derive your inspiration for film?
It goes back to my education background. Film or arts were never in me until I went to Namasagali College. I did my O-level from Busoga College Mwiri but they concentrated more on [academics] and sports; when I went to Namasagali for my A-level, it is where I discovered the artistic side of me, because they believed in arts as a co-curricular activity that can turn into a career.
[Initially] I was more interested in singing and dancing and would go to Sabrina’s Pub for karaoke with Juliana Kanyomozi and Iryn Namubiru but I dropped it and got a day job.
I then found myself in church at Kansanga Miracle Centre where I trained the choir. While at the church, they came up with a Christmas play production where I was accidently cast as God, a role to my surprise I acted out so well and from there I decided to give acting a shot.
Did you ever record any songs?
Yes [bursts into laughter], there is a time I actually travelled to the UK and recorded a song with Luther T [formerly of The Gents, now a gospel artiste] called Next To You. It was a gospel song and it even played on some radios for a while. I can’t say I ever had a breakthrough hit, but I also recorded more songs that I never put on the market.
Do you think you can do music again?
Right now I am focusing on film. Maybe later…
You are still the only Ugandan to ever win the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award (AMVCA)…..
Yes, I won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for my role in A Good Catholic Girl [2013]. I was up against very famous actors like Nigeria’s Osita Iheme, Fabian Lojede and South African actors. I was “the nobody” in it.
I remember sharing on Facebook for people to vote for me and Osita Iheme also posted and in two days I had like 20 likes and Osita had 700. But I launched a campaign and surprisingly, people responded positively and I brought it home.
Why did you move on to directing as well?
As The Hostel [series on NTV] was coming to an end, I began thinking about my next step. I approached some people who were also on set and told them about starting our own production house for continuity of our careers, but most of them were not as visionary as I was. At that time I had married Eleanor, who is also an actress and she also had some directing skills, whereas I was good in production and management; so, we set up Nabwiso Films.
Is there a chance of seeing you acting again or you are now a full-time director and producer?
I am also still acting. When a good acting gig comes through, I do it because I still love acting.
What is your take on Uganda’s film industry?
It is at its take-off stage. Ten years ago, we were just gambling and I agreed to be part of the gamble, because I had seen the music industry leave me behind. When I got the opportunity with film, I said this ship is not leaving me again.
When we started, we were not getting any money from films. You make one or two films a year and that would earn you like Shs 400,000 in a whole year. But looking at film projects today, somebody can afford to say, “I act for a living,” because they can have a good paycheque at the end of the month.
What would you consider your greatest work so far?
When it comes to series, I would say so far it is Sanyu. When it comes to directing film, it is the movie Prickly Roses and when it comes to documentary, it is the short documentary film Nabboth. For Nabboth, we did it only four people; the actor, editor, with my wife and I as the director and producer.
And what are you most proud of in your career?
I think being the producer and director of Sanyu has been such a big deal. It has given me so much exposure throughout Africa. Just the other day I got a [direct message] on my Instagram from a filmmaker in Tanzania who wants me to go direct and produce his film.
Good for you! How is it like working with your spouse? [Matthew has been married to Eleanor for eight years)
It is fine, it is beautiful, and it is cool, though also tough. What my wife and I have agreed is to know that we are running a business and we have to do things professionally. You have to forget that you are wife and husband; if it is time for business, it is strictly business.
You mean family issues never interfere with work?
Never. When it is time for family, it is family and when it is time for work, it is work. We have streamlined that, because if we did not, our film business would have failed by now.
So, when do you get time for your children? [The Nabwisos have two boys and two girls].
Right now when we are doing the Sanyu series is the busiest we have been because we are required to be on set Monday to Saturday, but previously we would be busy for like three weeks and then not busy for two months. Right now they also feel things have changed a lot; but what, we sometimes carry them to work.
As we are filming, they are also there and we actually involve them in some work like carrying the props we use on set.
Is there any of them who is likely to follow in your footsteps?
Yes, our first born son is always writing small scripts. Sometimes he just animates them and he thinks he is a filmmaker. They also get cameras and film things.
Any plans of more children?
Ahhh, no; we have two boys and two girls. The boys follow each other, so do the girls. So, they play together very well.
How have you found fatherhood, though?
Fatherhood is great, though it is a challenge. Even though so many things have changed today with the millennials but again we have got to strike a balance and stay a bit old-school.
I strike a balance between parenting them the modern way and the old-school way. If they are being stubborn, I get that stick and whip them to get them in check. Some people may say it is abuse but they say “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” It is a biblical principle; so, who am I not to follow what the Bible says? [laughs out loud].
Amen! Now, not many celebrity marriages last. What has made yours successful?
I married a friend. People always avoid that, but I think it is the best thing. You see, you cannot pretend with your friend. When I knew I liked her, I did not make it clear to her at first.
We started off as friends and because of that she did not hide anything from me and neither did I. I actually did so many things to provoke her and see how ugly she can get and I saw it all. By the time I made the decision to propose to her, I knew I could live with her.
jjingoernest1@gmail.com
