Actor of “27 Guns” Rescued from Poverty by Gen Muhoozi’s Intervention
Arnold Mubangizi, the lead actor in 27 Guns — a film directed by President Museveni’s daughter Natasha Museveni — was once hailed as a rising star destined for success. The movie, which portrayed Uganda’s bush war struggle, was expected to transform his life.
However, Mubangizi’s fortunes quickly took a downturn after the film became heavily politicized. Instead of celebrity acclaim, he faced public hostility, with some mistaking him for a spy or even the President’s son. At one point in Kireka, he narrowly escaped being beaten by an angry mob.
Struggling to make ends meet, the actor was reduced to living in a single room in Munyonyo with his mother, as his hopes of a breakthrough crumbled.
A glimmer of hope emerged after his story surfaced in an interview that caught the attention of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Moved by Mubangizi’s plight, Gen Muhoozi extended financial assistance of UGX 30 million as a starting point to help him rebuild his life.
Mubangizi’s ordeal has sparked conversations on the welfare of artists in politically themed productions, and whether enough is done to protect and support them beyond the spotlight.
