Arnold Mubangizi, the 35-year-old actor who portrayed President Yoweri Museveni in the 2018 film 27 Guns, says he has failed to capitalise on the career-defining role.
The film, directed by First Daughter Natasha Museveni Karugire, chronicled the five-year liberation struggle of the National Resistance Army (NRA) that led to the overthrow of Milton Obote’s regime in 1986.
Despite the prominence of the film, Mubangizi’s life has taken a turn for the worse. He began acting at the age of 16 and was paid Shs10 million for his role in 27 Guns — although Shs2 million was taken by the casting director.
With the remaining amount, he purchased a piece of land in Mukono. Unfortunately, he was forced to sell it during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to pay off debts and care for his ailing mother.
Currently, Mubangizi lives with his mother, Keloy Kemigisha — herself a former actress — in a single room in Munyonyo. It was his mother who introduced him to acting, and he has never known his father. Their living situation is dire: his mother sleeps on the bed while he sleeps on the floor. They pay Shs400,000 in rent per month, but now owe two months in arrears.
Things began to unravel after the film’s release. Mubangizi says the public judged 27 Guns through a political lens rather than appreciating it as a work of cinema.
“There was a lot of negativity as the movie was rubbished. I endured several verbal attacks because people had the wrong perception of me. They thought I was a spy, or that I had money,” he explained during an interview on NTV.
“Others believed I was Museveni’s son from outside. One time in Kireka, after watching a football match, some guys attacked me.”
The constant judgment and harassment affected his mental health. “After this incident, I started being suicidal, and this led to my mother suffering a stroke,” Mubangizi shared.
Since then, acting opportunities have become scarce. His last role was in 2022 in Katera of the Punishment Island. Mubangizi says many directors shy away from casting him due to the online backlash he receives for playing Museveni in 27 Guns.
When asked why he doesn’t pursue a different career outside acting, he said it’s difficult: “When people recognise me, it becomes problematic, and I end up quitting.”
In the seven years since the film’s release, Mubangizi has met President Museveni only once — a brief meeting that lasted less than a minute. Despite numerous attempts to reach out, he says he has been unsuccessful.
He wishes to have a meaningful conversation with the President, especially about youth unemployment and possible solutions.
“I have a lot to tell the President, especially about youth unemployment and how it can be addressed,” Mubangizi concluded.
