Private Project

The Chicken Thief

In the heart of Uganda's ghettos, Digital, a young teenage gambler, decides to leave behind his life of chicken theft. But when his luck runs dry in "Eki-number," a local poker-style game, he’s forced to steal one last hen to fund his bet. That final gamble costs him everything—his earnings and his prized new iPhone. Now, on the run from Baza, the hen’s owner, Digital discovers that the hen had swallowed stolen gold nuggets from the feared Captain Baba. What follows is a high-stakes chase for survival and hidden treasure.

  • Enock Timothy Jjemba
    Director
    True Future
  • Enock Timothy Jjemba
    Writer
    Dons Enock, Ghetto Fist
  • ARAFAT SSAGALA
    Writer
  • Enock Timothy Jjemba
    Producer
  • Madina Nalwanga
    Key Cast
    "Haira"
    Phiona Mutesi, Queen of Katwe
  • Ibrahim Ssemyalo
    Key Cast
    "Digital"
    Ntwasi, The Kitara Chronicles
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 13, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Uganda
  • Country of Filming:
    Uganda
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Kampala Film School
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Enock Timothy Jjemba

I am a passionate and driven filmmaker dedicated to crafting transformative stories through documentaries and films in Uganda. My work has earned recognition on both national and international stages, like the Uganda Film Festival 2021.
I’ve demonstrated a deep commitment to storytelling. Key milestones, such as participating in the Durban Film Mart 2022, and also being one of the first five filmmakers selected for the DW Akademie Film Development Program in Uganda have fueled my passion for telling powerful stories, especially about women.

Currently, I am improving my craft through Dominus Films an established film company to export Uganda stories through film to the world. In addition to my Filmmaking degree, I am working towards completing a Master of Science in Business Analytics and a Master in Business Administration at Jacksonville University in Florida. The program has expanded my knowledge of business management, marketing, and strategy—skills essential for succeeding in the competitive world of filmmaking.

My mission is to use cinema to shine a light on the positive changes happening in my community, particularly for women, youth, and children. I am committed to mastering my craft and expanding my creative reach by combining my passion for filmmaking with business acumen, I aim to not only create impactful films but also build a sustainable career in the industry. Through my films, I aim to evoke emotion, provoke thought, educate, and inspire change, sharing Uganda’s powerful stories with the world.

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Director Statement

“CHICKEN THIEF" unfolds a comic narrative centered around "Digital," a young urban ghetto dweller who transitions from a life of chicken theft to the perilous world of underground gambling in the streets. As he ventures into the treacherous realm of Eki-Number, a local poker-like game, Digital's luck takes a downturn, leading to the loss of all his earnings and a prized possession, his newly acquired iPhone. Driven by a fervent desire to reclaim what he's lost, Digital resorts to one final act of theft, setting off a chain of events that entangles him with the rightful owner of the stolen hen "Baza" a figure on a quest to recover his precious gold nuggets swallowed by the hen.

Drawing inspiration from my own experiences growing up in these environments, "CHICKEN THIEF" is more than just a film; it's a testament to the struggles and aspirations of countless youths in similar circumstances like myself. Through this project, I aim to shed light on the pervasive issues of unemployment, gambling, and petty crime that plague marginalized communities, sparking conversations as well as educating on the dangers of such. Drawing from personal experience, I aimed to breathe life into this story, infusing it with the authenticity of this Uganda local story with an aim of global impact in Uganda and Africa at large.

Being my final graduation project in film school, I explored my cinematic language to capture the essence of the story, I opted to film on location in Namuwongo, a renowned ghetto in Kampala City, to harness the raw energy and authenticity of the setting. Additionally, I cast residents of the ghetto as supporting actors, actresses, and extras, inviting them to share their narratives and enrich the storytelling process as well as employ their passion for film storytelling in this area. Through this collaborative approach, I endeavor to evoke a genuine portrayal of life within the ghetto and provoke thought and reflection on the challenges faced by its inhabitants.