Essays of a Revolutionary MC: Advocating for Freedom, Unity, and Diversity Through Music and Film

Author

Bana Mutibwa
May 31, 2024

May has become one of my favorite months because I get to meet some of the most inspiring freedom fighters and activists at the annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit. This year was no different. One of the highlights was sharing Uganda's story with a global audience through the Oscar-nominated film, "Bobi Wine: The People’s President." This film showcases the man, the music, and the movement fighting for freedom and democracy in Uganda.

Let me start by sharing some powerful words from Mathias Sundin, who wrote an article titled “We live in a lie” after the movie screening:

💭 We have a world order that accepts dictatorship. We don't like it, we criticize it, but at the same time, these dictators have voting rights in the UN, sit on the UN Human Rights Council, and are members of numerous international organizations. We welcome them on state visits. We call them president, even though they have stolen the title.

- We live in a lie, Mathias Sundin

I agree with Mathias, who also offers suggestions on how we can use the truth to dismantle a system built on lies. If you haven't watched the movie yet, you can find it on Disney+ or Hulu. Also, if you're in Oslo tomorrow, it will be showing at Vega Scene as part of the Oslo Freedom Forum. This year’s forum focuses on bringing together human rights defenders to reclaim democracy. I hope to see you there if you're attending.

On the music front, I performed at Unity in Diversity, an event by Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (ActionAid Denmark) to raise awareness through culture and music. Held at Cafe Mellemrummet, the evening featured other artists like Nour Amora and Lana Oudeh from Syria and Inuamina Music, a Copenhagen-based duo inspired by Greenlandic mythological storytelling. I took the crowd on a revolutionary journey, highlighting Uganda's political situation. Together, we shouted "NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE" and raised our "PEOPLE POWER" fists in support of the movement. I highlighted two causes: #FreeLatifMadoi and #StopEacop. Unity in Diversity was an unforgettable experience filled with joy, community, and celebration. June looks to continue this positive path, and I'm excited to be playing at BLOCK PARTY on June 21st at Blågårds Plads.

Lastly, I released a new song with A. Dman titled "Cut it Out." This song raises awareness about electronic waste. Did you know that 80% of electronic waste ends up in developing countries like Uganda, India, Ghana, and Mexico? Men, women, and children break down this waste using hand tools, a method used for decades. The informal dismantling involves burning, breaking, and cutting out electronic products. Special thanks to A. Dman for featuring me and introducing me to the structures of informal e-waste recycling. You can listen to "Cut it Out" here and read about A. Dman’s project: Design For Breakability.

Thanks for tuning in, and here's to advocating for freedom, unity, and diversity through music and film.

Only 1 email per month where I will tell something about my music, life in Denmark or about Uganda. If you enjoyed reading, don’t hesitate to follow up and (or) even share with a friend.