A newly released documentary explores the positive and negative effects that globalization has had on Uganda.
The 43-minute film by David Pigott, a history professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho, is titled "Tarnished Pearl: Voices from Uganda.
Filmed entirely on location in Uganda in 2007, the documentary contrasts the traditional culture of rural Uganda as it is undergoing a difficult transition into an urban, modern and more westernized society.
The film also takes a look at the changing value systems among Ugandans through the story of "a few key characters" that Pigott encountered while in Uganda.
One of the stories focuses on Ssimbwa, a young Ugandan clan leader, fighting to preserve the cultural heritage among his people, while still taking advantage of and acknowledging the benefits that modern education and technology brings to a society.
Pigott describes the events taking place in Uganda as a sad scenario, but an optimistic one, because standards of living will improve, their health will improve, their education and access to information will improve, and that's a wonderful future.
The proffesor however notes that what will not improve is the language, which will turn to English or Chinese, and Uganda's cultural heritage is eroding right before the eyes of Ugandans.
Pigott says that he doesn't presume to have the answers to these problems, but he hopes that by raising awareness of the issues it will help upcoming generations "grapple with the problems that come" from modernization.
