Video stars: the booming VJ scene localising Hollywood films for Ugandans

On a vibrant Saturday afternoon in Kampala’s informal settlement, young Ugandans gathered around VJs to watch a local version of "The Monkey," with Luganda translations adding cultural depth. These VJs, like VJ Junior, are now central to Uganda’s media landscape, using humor, simplification, and sound effects to make foreign films accessible. Rooted in colonial evangelism traditions, their work has evolved into a thriving industry, distributing content across VHS, VCDs, DVDs, and flash disks, while also dubbing local shows. Despite challenges like copyright issues, they continue to inspire Ugandans by bridging cultural divides through their dynamic role.