Kasule Douglas Benda
Born and raised in Kampala, the last of five siblings, Claire Sheila Birungi studied Development Studies at Nkumba University. A wife and mother of four, her life has been a tapestry of career shifts, motherhood, personal rediscovery and now, a bold entrance into the world of film.
For years, writing was simply a passion for Claire, something she loved but never considered to take on professionally. While at university, she launched ‘ME Magazine’, a creative outlet that she later shelved to pursue a more traditional career. Life led her into the airline industry, but like many people when COVID-19 struck, she was laid off from her job. That sudden stillness gave her the time and space for deep self-reflection.
During that period, Claire began writing again, not for an audience, but for her children. She wanted to document the life lessons she had learned, lessons shaped by faith, struggle, and resilience. As the pages filled, she realised something deeper: ‘living outside one’s purpose’, she believed, is the root of much of life’s pain and dissatisfaction.
While 80% into writing her book, Claire met renowned award-winning filmmaker (actress, producer, writer, director) Nana Kagga, who encouraged her to explore writing for screen. “The industry can use more writers,” Nana said. That encouragement was all Claire needed. She downloaded Celtx onto her laptop and began adapting a storyline from her book into a film project.
The result was ‘BUPYA’, a powerful narrative of spiritual awakening, resilience, and rebirth, told through the lens of an African woman.
The project quickly gained recognition. When BUPYA was selected for the pitch session at the Mashariki Film Festival in Kigali – Rwanda, Claire didn’t even know how to budget for a film. She reached out to actress and producer Eleanor Nabwiso, who generously guided her through the process over the phone. That conversation helped Claire win the residency, which then caught the attention of Oge Obasi, Nigerian award-winning producer (‘MAMI WATA’ which was Nigeria’s official submission to Oscars 2024).
Most recently, BUPYA was selected for Durban FilmMart 2025, where Claire participated in its pitch and finance forum. The selection affirmed the strength of her story and fueled her determination to see it through to completion. She is currently seeking collaborators, especially women like Natasha Karugire, who can help enrich the project and bring it to life with authenticity and depth.
Claire’s creative journey doesn’t stop there. She has also co-created a short film titled ‘KAZI: The Hustle’ with Kenyan filmmaker Joan Rispa Kiragu. The film, set for release later this year, explores the everyday grind and survival instincts of East Africa’s working class.
Claire Sheila Birungi’s journey offers powerful lessons for new creatives: Start where you are, even if it’s imperfect. Don’t wait for everything to align, begin with what you have and let passion lead you. Her openness to mentorship, her willingness to ask for help, and her ability to turn setbacks into creative fuel show that resilience and humility are just as important as talent. Most importantly, her story reminds us that purpose often reveals itself in moments of pause and when it does, lean in boldly.
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