By Hussein Kiganda
Film producer Swaib Nakibinge has opened up on why he made a betting-themed movie Akapapula, which has since become a hit among bodaboda riders in Kampala.
Nakibinge revealed to The Kampala Sun that he was addicted to betting, but having coming to the realisation that he was losing almost everything, he decided to quit the habit and warn fellow youth against it.
He narrated that betting cost him his education. He was pursuing a bachelor of science degree in education at Kampala International University, but failed to complete the course.
“I was a betting addict. I joined sports betting with the hope that I would make some money to finish my course at the university. I started betting from 2010 to 2016, but I failed to raise the money to complete the course. I wanted to at least win sh1m to help me complete the remaining semester, but that didn’t happen. I ended up even losing the little money that I had and dropped out of school,” Nakibinge narrated.
In Akapapula, he tells stories of three people: A bodaboda man (Sam) who tries to make quick money out of sports betting, but ends up losing the bodaboda; a brilliant student who joins sports betting, bets his tuition and ends his education journey and a family man (Tata Junior) who loses his job and resorts to sports betting to sustain his family, but ends up losing his house too.
The movie premiered on March 13, 2022, attracting the attention of bodaboda riders and casual workers in town.
It has led to the creation of a new slogan, Tokola Ebya Sam.
Tokola Ebya Sam is translated to Do not do what Sam does. Sam is played by Julius Kitandwe, the lead character in the movie.
Written, directed, and produced by Nakibinge, Akapapula is a family drama that runs for 81 minutes in majorly Luganda and a little English.
Besides Kitandwe, its cast includes Sharifah Nabukenya, Magid Lutaaya, Juliet N. Ssentongo, Umar Kafumbe, Robinah Nalwoga, Julius Kasekende, Reagan Kiyingi, Sinani Ssentongo, and Yasin Lubowa.
