One woman’s unstoppable desire to change the world for the better has recently been put into a short film by a group of talented directors; but worry not, it is definitely not short of inspiration!

ECF had an exclusive opportunity to talk to Emilia Stålhammar, Elsa Lövdin and Veronica Pålsson, the makers of “Cycologic”, a film depicting a piece of Amanda Ngabirano’s tireless journey to make Uganda more bicycle-friendly. Amanda Ngabirano (left) is an active member of the World Cycling Alliance Steering Board, an urban planner, a lecturer and a passionate cycling advocate. Her work has not only been featured in leading Ugandan media outlets (for example, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1425470/urban-mobility-govts-forcing-us-cars), but will also be shown in the form of “Cycologic” at Malmö Festival in Sweden on the 17^th of August.

We were interested to hear the directors’ story first-hand: why cycling, why Uganda, and why Amanda? See for yourself what Emilia Stålhammar, one of the directors, told us!

As part of our studies, we went to Uganda for two months to make our final film project. We were certain that we wanted to do an inspiring and hopeful film showing a modern Uganda rather than highlighting the negative aspects that so often takes too much space in every media platform.

We came across an article on the urban planner Amanda Ngabirano and her dream of having a bicycle lane in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. This way of movement is something we as a group never had reflected upon, and is something we take for granted in our daily life back home in Sweden.  After our first meeting with Amanda, we were so thrilled and inspired by her enthusiasm and her passion for cycling and we felt it was necessary to tell her story. She does not only want to see a change – she creates it herself!

When we first arrived in Kampala, we were overwhelmed by the traffic situation. There are endless queues, pollution, motorcyclists and cars attacking you from every angle, and it felt like a war zone. Not only do you put yourself to a great risk, regardless of your choice of movement, but we realised how energy-consuming it was to get from A to B, and that people spend many hours stuck in the traffic every day. […]

While shooting the film “Cycologic”, we interviewed a lot of people, and hearing their stories was amazing. […] Amanda is a great force that none of us have come across before. The energy she gives to her project is itself inspiring. She wants to change the way people move, make it more inclusive and accessible for everyone despite gender, age or economic background. She is a true bicycle enthusiast and she truly is a role model, not only for Uganda, but for the rest of the world. She lives what she preaches and when she meets distrust, she proves them wrong by being the living example of her own ideas. We believe that is something every leader in the world could learn from.

Cycling can not only strengthen the role of women in society and create debate, but will also be beneficial economically for individuals as well as the society itself. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in the climate threat we are facing in the world.”

If you, like us, are fascinated by Amada’s story, head to Malmö Festival in August and see the film for yourself (you will find the programme here: http://malmofestivalen.se/program/event/4074).

Alternatively, if you would like to show the film at your event, conference or festival, do get in touch with the directors – their details below –  as they are willing to show “Cycologic” to the whole world! 

Emilia Stålhammar: emiliastalhammar@gmail.com
Elsa Lövdin: elsalovdin@gmail.com
Veronica Pålsson: veronica.palsson@gmail.com