🌍 UHURU — A Heartfelt Film About Parkinson’s and Hope
“UHURU” (meaning “Freedom” in Swahili) is a powerful short film about living with Parkinson’s in Africa. It offers a deeply human look at life with Parkinson’s in Tanzania, where stigma, poverty, and lack of access to medication shape people’s experiences of the disease.
On location filming of “UHURU “ in Hai district, Tanzania
🎥 What the Film Shows
UHURU follows three people in Tanzania living with Parkinson’s, showing the physical and emotional impact of the condition in a setting where support is limited. It also highlights the moment they finally receive medication — and what it feels like to get their freedom (“uhuru”) back.
The film explores:
Misunderstandings about Parkinson’s in African communities — where symptoms are often mistaken for the supernatural, such as witchcraft and curses
Those living with Parkinson’s face stigma, isolation and persecution
How awareness of Parkinson’s and access to medication can transform someone’s life when made available
👩‍🔬 Behind the Film: Dr Natasha Fothergill‑Misbah
UHURU was produced by Dr Tash (Natasha) Fothergill‑Misbah, a global health researcher from Newcastle University, in partnership with the TraPCAf project (Transforming Parkinson’s Care in Africa), led by Prof Richard Walker. The TraPCAF project involves 7 countries in Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania. It is aiming to investigate aids to diagnosis in places where there are few specialists, the hidden burden, recognising the majority of people with Parkinsons in Africa are not currently diagnosed, potential risk factors such as genetic background and pesticides, and how care can best be provided in a resource poor environment.
Tash has spent years working with Parkinson’s communities across East Africa and was awarded the 2023 Tom Isaacs Award for her groundbreaking participatory research. Her goal is simple but urgent: to improve access to Parkinson’s diagnosis and care worldwide — and give people the dignity they deserve.
The team behind “UHURU”
From right to left: Olz McCoy, Director and producer, Careen Josiah, Translator; Dr Natasha Fothergill-Misbah, Producer; George Parker, Cinematographer and Editor
đź“ş How and Where to Watch UHURU
You can stream UHURU for free via the official film website:
👉 uhurufilm.comIt’s available in English and Swahili, with subtitles
Runtime: approx. 10 minutes — short, but incredibly moving
Professor Richard Walker, Lead of the TraPCAf project
On location in Tanzania
🌟 Why UHURU Matters to the UK Parkinson’s Community
Even though healthcare access in the UK is different, the film highlights universal challenges:
The emotional and social toll of Parkinson’s
The life-changing effect of even basic treatments
The importance of education in breaking down stigma
UHURU encourages us to see Parkinson’s not just as a personal journey, but as a shared global issue — one that we all have a role in improving.
Filming on location with Dr Natasha Fothergill-Misbah and translators/actors Samuel Ally and Careen Josiah
❤️ Final Thought
UHURU is more than a film — it’s a call for understanding, compassion, and global solidarity.
Whether you’re in the North East and Cumbria in the UK or halfway across the world, the message is clear: everyone deserves access to Parkinson’s care, respect, and freedom.
Click on the link below to watch the film, explore the TraPCAf project, or find out how you can get involved.
