Solomon W. Jagwe, a Ugandan film director, 3D artist, animator, and creator of the popular Adventures of Nkoza and Nankya, has announced the completion of his long-awaited 3D animated film, Galiwango, focusing on mountain gorilla conservation.
The project, which has taken 13 years to finish, was inspired by Jagwe’s firsthand research in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where he observed endangered gorillas and studied their habitats to create realistic 3D sets for the film.
“This photo captures a moment when I finally got to see mountain gorillas with my own eyes,” Jagwe wrote on social media. “These three friends I met changed my filmmaking journey and conservation outlook. I can’t wait to share this film with you all!”
Jagwe, who grew up on the outskirts of Kampala in Mutundwe and spent part of his childhood in Masaka, has built a multifaceted career spanning film, animation, and visual arts.
After completing his secondary education at Makerere College School, he earned a scholarship to study art in the United States, graduating in 1999 with a focus on 3D environment design, character modelling, and animation from Ohio Valley University, Montgomery College, and George Mason University.
Over the years, Jagwe has worked with multiple companies as a storyboard artist, animator, 3D modeler, and environment designer, contributing to defense contractors, gaming studios, and VR projects, including serving as Art Director for Floreo, a VR studio developing content for children with autism.
Currently, he works as a freelance artist specialising in concept design, architectural visualisation, 3D modelling, motion capture, matte painting, and storyboarding. His portfolio can be viewed on CGSociety at http://solomon.cgsociety.org.
With Galiwango, Jagwe combines his artistic expertise and conservation advocacy, using animation to raise awareness about Uganda’s endangered gorillas and their fragile ecosystem.
