LA Festival Feature Screenplay: Sunset In Kanungu, by Peter Kisiraga

LOGLINE
A soldier questions his life decisions as he finds himself entangled in social and religious conflicts upon returning to his native home

SYNOPSIS
ACT 1
David Mukisa (28-32) an Inquisitive married man and a father to a boy child has just fought his last battle in the Second congo war, having spent his last few years with UN missions and Ugandan army he’s discharged. David has two options, either to move to Kampala and take a job he is offered or re-join his family, the family he left for years. He decides to come back home.
We are in the early months of the year 1999 in Kanungu Uganda most restoration churches are gaining the trust of Christians from other denominations. Having to keep up with his family, David is hired as a driver by an old friend Eric (28-30), now a successful businessman in kanungu.
David doesn’t seem to fit in, He has a fall out with both his close friends and family. David lives a despairing life until meets two relatives,born again christians , former street comics and pickpocket thieves whom David once saved from an ordeal, Martin(23-25) and Sanyu(5-7).
ACT 2
David welcomes Marti and Sanyu who are members of the salvation prayer centre to stay in his home. David tells us his account of how the salvation prayer centre was formed, the prophecy and the closing.

Joseph Kibwetere (50s) a charismatic but pessimistic man, former member of the Catholic church. Credonia Mwerinde(40s) a bar owner and former nun who loathes for power and authority. Dominic Kataribaabo (50s) a friend to Joseph, a modern laissez-faire reverend whose manipulated by Credonia, are the main founders with each of them having a personal agenda and drive for doing so. The church grows in both size and reputation throughout the country until they relocate from Rwashamire to Kanungu.

ACT 3
David has now established a fatherly bond with Sanyu and regards her and Marti as immediate family. David now considers getting back to church.
Credonia Mwerinde now the high priestess and a top influencer of the church, has the credibility of giving evangelical prophecies. She reveals a prophecy of an impending apocalypse leading to the end of the world on New Year’s Eve 1999.
upon failed prophecies about the apocalyptic events, most members are revolting against the leaders of the church and are now demanding payment for their lost properties and funds. Joseph, now not part of the church, is Invited for one last session on the 17th of march 2000 for the “Closing ceremony”.
On the same night, 17th march 2000 David is involved in a boat accident at Lake Edward. He drowns, while Marti and Sanyu are back home attending the prayer session.
WRAP-UP
David survives the boat incident and he later learns that the closing ceremony was a planned conflagration mass murder in church.
He struggles to accept the absence of both Sanyu and Marti who he assumes to have been among the victims. Finally coming to terms, he decides to board a bus to Kampala to take the job he was offered earlier.