Filmmaker brings back 'omweso' board game in new film

Renowned filmmaker Paul Ssebata, is set to revive the long-forgotten African traditional board game, omweso, through his upcoming film of the same name. This cinematic endeavour aims to reintroduce the game to the African population and raise awareness of it in the Western world.

Originating from the Bachwezi people of the ancient Bunyoro-Kitara empire in Uganda, omweso holds great significance as the traditional mancala game of the Ugandan people.

Although currently prevalent in Ugandan villages, Ssebata aspires to bring the game to urban populations and Western audiences through his film.

Expressing his concern about the prevailing trend of Africans embracing Western-introduced games that often lack educational value and instead promote Western ideals, Ssebata stated: "I have always wondered why Africans are not embracing our own African games. To me, the only way to popularise them is by showcasing them in a film. In this regard, I chose omweso due to its popularity among villagers and its ancient origins. My goal is to introduce it to urban populations and the Western world."

In the gripping and morally complex drama Omweso's Gambit, a group of young men competes fiercely for a lucrative cash prize. As the stakes escalate, one participant, driven by possessiveness, offers his girlfriend as a wager to a rival contestant. When her possessive boyfriend attempts to forcibly claim her, a dark and dangerous confrontation ensues, leading to an unforeseen tragedy.

The film boasts an impressive cast, including Shafatinoh Ssesanga, Ivan Lukenga, Abdul Bakyekoose, Joel Jengo and Prossy Nigaga.

How to play 'omweso'

For those unfamiliar with the game, omweso involves a series of turns, each consisting of multiple laps. Players make moves by selecting a pit with at least two seeds and sowing them one by one in a counterclockwise direction around their side of the board. It's important to note that the sowing can only take place within the player's territory, without directly involving the opponent's side.

While players in the past would often spend significant time contemplating their moves, modern tournaments allow only three seconds of thought per turn. The referee counts emu for one and bbiri for two, and if the turn is not initiated promptly, the opposing player can seize it.

The objective of the game is to either become the last player capable of making a legal move by capturing all the opponent's stones or by reducing the opponent to no more than one seed in each pit. Another path to victory involves capturing on both ends of the board within a single turn.

With his upcoming film, Ssebata endeavours to reignite interest in omweso and resurrect this cherished African board game, empowering Africans to embrace their cultural heritage while introducing it to global audiences.