KOJJA

Whilst Chisom struggles to fill the role of a positive role model for his nephew Ake, he must decide between preparing Ake for the real world or preserving his innocence.

Kojja (translation: Mother’s Brother), explores the dynamics of raising Black boys in Britain through the uncle-nephew relationship of Chisom and Ake. With adulthood approaching for Ake, Uncle Chisom aims to prepare him for societal pressures and expectations whilst grappling with his own choices and identity. When an untimely incident occurs, both Ake and Chisom are left questioning the state of morality; will this bring them closer together or push them further apart?

With nods to writer & director Derrick Kakembo's Ugandan heritage, the film takes its name “Kojja” from the Luganda language and heavily showcases the Ugandan diaspora in London for the first time. With themes of intersectionality, class and identity all serving as the backdrop, brotherhood takes center stage.

Starring West End child star Raphael Higgins-Humes (Motown, Lion King, The Voice Kids) as Ake, and introducing British-Ugandan actor Enoch Nsubuga as Chisom, the film is Kakembo’s first scripted narrative short film. Kojja was produced in association with Far Lane Media and released exclusively on the Media platform VERO.