The Story of VJs in Uganda

1. Origins & Historical Context

In Uganda, a VJ (Video Jockey) is more than a movie narrator — it’s a translator, comedian, and storyteller. The practice dates back to the 1980s and 1990s, when foreign VHS films reached local communities who did not speak English. To bridge the gap, a VJ would stand before the crowd, live-translating the movie into Luganda or other regional languages, adding jokes and cultural flavor.

This culture evolved from church and community film showings into a powerful local media tradition — one that allowed Ugandans to experience Hollywood, Nollywood, and Bollywood stories in their own words and humor.

2. How VJing Works in Uganda

• Translation & Narration: The VJ translates films into Luganda or other languages, usually in voice-over format.
• Localization: Names, jokes, and references are adapted for Ugandan audiences — for example, “New York” might become “Kampala” in the dialogue.
• Distribution: From small video halls (“kibanda”) to DVDs, flash drives, and now online streaming platforms.
• Audience: Viewers who may not understand English — or who just enjoy the added humor and cultural connection — flock to VJ versions.

“They feel appreciated, they feel recognised and they feel known.” — Ugandan lecturer on the role of VJs

3. Uganda’s Most Popular VJs

Uganda’s VJ scene has many stars. Here are some of the best-known:

• VJ Jingo – One of the pioneers, translating hundreds of movies into Luganda.
• VJ Junior – Known as the “king of VJs,” famous for narrating action and sci-fi movies with precision and humor.
• VJ Ice P – Popular in Western Uganda.
• VJ Henrico – Presenter and translator for Bukedde TV.
• VJ SMK – Specializes in Nollywood and Ghanaian films.
• VJ Sultan – Translates films into the Iteso language in Eastern Uganda.

VJ Junior — one of Uganda’s most influential video jockeys.

4. Why VJs Matter

The VJ industry is not just entertainment — it’s a bridge between cultures, languages, and economies. VJs make foreign media accessible, fun, and relatable. They inject personality into otherwise distant stories, transforming them into shared experiences.

Beyond entertainment, VJs have been used for educational communication. For example, Makerere University used VJs to translate research and science projects for local communities — making academia more understandable to everyday Ugandans.

5. Challenges in the VJ Industry

• Copyright issues: Many dubbed films are distributed without proper licensing.
• Quality and fidelity: Some critics argue that translations lose nuance from the original works.
• Informal structure: Many VJs work in the informal economy without clear revenue systems or protection.

“Oversimplified translations could strip away important themes and messages embedded in the original productions.”

6. The Future of VJing in Uganda

The next wave of Ugandan VJs is going digital. Apps like Kibanda.org and online platforms are bringing translated movies to smartphones and smart TVs. New VJs are also translating films into regional languages beyond Luganda — Iteso, Runyankole, and more.

At the same time, major names like VJ Junior are transitioning into film production and direction, suggesting a future where VJs don’t just translate stories — they create them.

7. Key Takeaways

• VJs make cinema accessible to wider audiences through translation and humor.
• The industry blends creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride.
• Challenges remain in copyright, professionalism, and digital adaptation.
• The future lies in regional diversity and digital transformation.

8. Conclusion

The story of Uganda’s VJs is a story of innovation — how local voices transformed global cinema into something uniquely Ugandan. Whether in a village video hall or on a streaming app, the VJ remains a cultural hero, proving that storytelling transcends borders, languages, and even budgets.