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Over the last 14 years, through innovative campaigns, educational programs, and youth-led initiatives, Nabimanya has triggered a wave of awareness and sparked a much-needed conversation among the youth about sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
He is an accomplished filmmaker who has been the Executive Producer on three projects thus far, namely: Kyaddala (It’s Real) – a TV series focusing on the real-life social issues that affect young people across Africa and their attempts to overcome those issues; When You Become Me – a Cannes Film Festival-nominated film raising awareness about societal issues, and particularly those affecting persons living with disabilities in Uganda and; Sabotage – a film exploring sexual violence, abortion and tradition to raise awareness around Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in Uganda.
He has further established himself as a relentless social entrepreneur. His ability to connect with young minds led him to establish the Ikon Awards initiative in 2022 – a prestigious platform that recognises and celebrates exceptional individuals and organisations that carry the spirit of creativity, innovation, and enterprise in Uganda’s Film and Television industry.
In 2020, he founded the Sauti Plus Media Hub, a full-service production house and social, behavioural change communication agency that has carved out a niche for creating marketing and communications solutions that shift minds and win hearts. The hub brings together a culturally rich team of strategists, marketers, audiovisual content creators, and all-around creatives.
How do you describe yourself – professionally?
Professionally, I refer to myself as a “Chief Hustler,” and being a hustler is not only about making money but also about hustling to bring your passion to life and create the impact you want to see in your life and the world around you.
However, I professionally define myself as a social worker because my life’s work is to positively impact other people’s lives.
I am also a filmmaker because I am now committed to driving social impact narratives through creative outlets like movies and TV series. This motivated me to start a production house and social, behavioural change communications agency (Sauti Plus Media Hub) to create products that can tell Ugandan stories across the globe while giving social impact organisations a platform to amplify their impact.
Tell us about Reach A Hand Uganda. What does it do?
Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) is a non-profit organisation focused on empowering and improving the well-being of young people in Uganda. Its main areas of work include Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV/AIDS awareness, and providing livelihood opportunities for youth aged 10 to 30.
RAHU engages many young people, including students, out-of-school youth, and vulnerable women and girls. We use innovative programs and digital platforms to share accurate sexual reproductive health information and services. We work in urban and rural areas, partnering with schools and communities to deliver their services.
RAHU’s goal is to provide young people with the knowledge and resources needed to help them make informed decisions, leading to healthier and more resilient futures for themselves and their communities.
What inspired you to start Reach A Hand Uganda? What problem were you trying to solve? And to what extent would you say you have been able to solve it? What impact have you created?
My inspiration comes from my childhood and a strong desire to build an empowered community, especially for young people. We’ve achieved this through over 20 partner-supported projects. One of my favourites is the Peer Educators Academy, a mentorship program active in 56 districts. It trains and empowers youth to become leaders and change-makers. We’re working to expand it nationwide.
We also run social behaviour change projects supported by the Sauti Plus Media Hub. For example, “Get Your Mix Out” (GYMO) is a school-based program that raises awareness about sexual health risks. Another project, “Kwiso Mu Cinema,” screens films and TV shows with social impact themes in urban and rural areas to spark conversations on critical issues.
We support livelihood programs through the film industry, offering young people opportunities in the creative ecosystem and encouraging them to tell authentic Ugandan stories. The Billi Now Now (BNN) Movement is another initiative. It’s a global campaign to create a community of a billion BRAVE young people advocating for their rights.
This year, we’re launching our first clinic in Mbarara to provide quality medical care to children, women, and older people. Overall, we’ve qualitatively reached 3,050 young people across Uganda with our social behaviour change communication and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights programs, providing skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Many have gone on to start their social impact organisations, businesses, and media careers.
We also have several more film projects, outreach programs, and livelihood initiatives that create awareness and change community behaviours. RAHU is a place where young people can develop and co-create ideas, ultimately serving their communities better. We’ve become a school of excellence, empowering individuals to build and innovate.
Even with all your great work, you will agree that there is so much more work left to do, as the level of need is enormous. What are some of the challenges that remain out there?
One of our biggest challenges is the lack of knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive Health. This is a crucial reason why HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy are still significant issues. We need to work on changing negative cultural and religious norms that affect how people view SRHR and improve access to these services for young people.
Unfavourable policies also limit young people’s access to SRHR information and affordable healthcare. Our health systems need improvement, and health workers need better training to address youth issues with privacy and without discrimination. Despite these challenges, we keep pushing forward and encourage others to join us in offering support.
I envision a world where every Ugandan mother can access quality healthcare and deliver their child safely, women have a voice, and young people take up space and lead the way.
What are some of the lessons learned during your work that other players, especially the government, can learn from?
I would say being open to new ideas and the possibility of co-creation and collaboration. So many young people and organisations out there are unable to get their impactful projects and initiatives off the ground because they lack material support.
Our industry heavily depends on the government, donors, passionate individuals, or private companies (through Corporate Social Responsibility). Still, we face many mockeries because the perception is that we are “eating free money” ” yet they address social issues, create impact, and employ Ugandans.
The government can offer a lot of support because, ultimately, not everyone can access donor funding.
We need to examine how the non-profit industry can be uplifted and not just seen as foreign-aided. To do that, we must work together as Ugandans to create real change in our communities.
Congratulations upon being named among one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans at the forefront of leading the continent’s transformation and for recently completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders as part of the 2024 cohort. How do you leverage these recognitions and platforms to create more impact?
Thank you. These give hope to many leaders like me to continue doing what they are doing and to do it to the best of their ability.
The Mandela Fellowship, specifically, is such a welcome opportunity to learn and develop my capabilities while building more networks with like-minded partners to help Reach A Hand Uganda and Sauti Plus Media Hub deepen their impact in Uganda.
As a youth advocate, what worries you? What keeps you awake?
I am thinking about how to build on yesterday’s impact to do much more and much better. Giving birth to ideas is like giving birth to children, and you must think about how they will survive even after you’re gone and how they will impact others when you’re not around anymore.
But what often helps me rest easy is the fact that we are in the business of building legacies that will outlive us.
Beyond Reach A Hand, you also founded the Ikon Film and Television Awards, which recently had a massive second edition. What inspired you to take this direction?
When I was young, I loved being in drama clubs and performing. In P5, I created a legendary character, bringing everyone joy.
In 2013, I made short films to highlight important issues. These aired on my show on NBS TV and were also used in school outreaches. This led me to bring international dramas like MTV Shuga to the station, inspiring me to start telling original Ugandan stories, like ‘Kyaddala,’ which is now filming its third season. We’ve also made feature-length movies like Sabotage, which highlights sexual violence and unsafe abortions as some of the challenges young people face in Uganda, and When You Become Me, which highlights the lived realities of young people with disabilities, as well as short films on different SRHR themes written and produced by young people that we train.
While our shows and films were successful, I wanted to create something bigger to promote Ugandan films. Having previously run the Young Achievers Awards, I knew the impact a recognition platform could have. So, I started the Ikon Awards to support the growth of our film industry. We aim to develop structures to market our stories, directors, scriptwriters, and actors internationally.
Beyond the Ikon Awards, you are also credited as an Executive Producer on several Ugandan productions, such as ‘When You Become Me,’ ‘Kyaddala,’ and more. Why are you branching out into film, and what is your vision for the industry?
RAHU uses different tools to engage with young people, such as peer learning sessions, table talks, intergenerational dialogues, music, and sports. Film is one of our main tools, which helps us communicate our messages effectively and reach a wider audience.
Just like music has driven social change, drama allows us to address critical issues affecting youth. For example, our film ‘When You Become Me’ promotes disability inclusion, raising awareness and providing opportunities for actors with disabilities. Through our ‘Kwiso Mu Cinema’ platform, we bring these films to communities, screening them in schools, sports grounds, and local cinema halls to spark conversations about critical social issues.
By making these films, we not only entertain and educate Ugandans but also promote our country’s creative industry globally. We have exciting collaborations with renowned Nollywood actors in the pipeline that will further boost our impact and reach.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by the people I meet daily, most of whom give off positive energy, which fuels my desire for change. These are the people I spend time with and share ideas with. They all give me the inspiration I need to become the best version of myself.
Lastly, at a personal level, how do you stay sane in the fast lane? How do you stay organised and maintain a work-life balance?
Some people see me as a workaholic, but I do make time for myself. I strive to be productive during my personal time.
Everyone in this world was created with a purpose: to make this world a better place. After fulfilling this purpose, we shall have eternal rest, but before that, we should use the time we have to help make this world a better place.
Once you know your purpose, you use every opportunity to bring it to life.
Whether you watch a movie or not, you should learn something from it. When you get new ideas, use your phone to share and co-create those great ideas with others. Your mind should always be triggered to create, think, and be proactive.
When you have the time to rest, rest well and wake up with a positive attitude. Interact with yourself and the right people at the right time and, most importantly, live purposefully.