If you had told me a decade ago that I’d become a voice of creative influence in Uganda—while raising two sons, surviving the chaos of post production, and working on studying human rights law in Japan—I probably would’ve laughed, spilled tea on your shoes, and gone back to sketching dramatic storyboards with an empty stomach and a full heart.

My name is Nicole Priscilla Lawino, though some know me as Lawino, The Goddess, or “that girl who’s always filming something deep.” I wear many hats—filmmaker, musician, fashion designer, mental health advocate, and social worker—but what ties it all together is a deep, almost spiritual commitment to telling African stories with emotional truth and intellectual bite.

My journey began in the slums of Namuwongo, not with a camera, but with a clipboard and a heart full of social work theories. I saw the world in raw form—mothers fighting addiction, children raised by trauma, and entire communities surviving on resilience. That front line exposure to human suffering sparked my need to create The Glass Cage, a film that juxtaposes a child’s crib with prison bars to show how cycles of abuse are born in silence and confinement. I didn’t set out to make art. I set out to scream—beautifully.

Later, in Hebrews 13:5, I aimed my lens at the grotesque hypocrisy of fake pastors—somewhere between satire and spiritual exorcism. The film wasn’t just a clap back at corrupted faith; it was my way of healing from the mental strain I experienced while working under immense pressure, juggling survival, sanity, and expectations. That’s when I knew I had to speak up about mental health too—not as a trending hashtag but as lived reality. For creatives, especially women, especially mothers, especially me—the mind is our medium. And it’s fragile.

Now, through my production company, Haus of Alkebulan, I’m creating space for bold, intellectual African cinema that blends culture, history, and healing. My upcoming projects explore Luo migration from Nubia, colonial reclamation, and even fast fashion’s impact on African land-fills. I want our people to see themselves in high-definition—sacred, scarred, stylish. I don’t have a blueprint, only a burning purpose. Every grant I apply for, every song I record, every eco-fashion piece I design, is stitched with the same thread: art must serve.

Some days I feel like a hot mess with vision. Other days, I see the seeds I’ve planted growing into something generational. Becoming a voice of influence wasn’t the plan. Becoming a vessel for untold truths—that’s always been the calling.

And if I can do it while raising future kings, crying over rough edits, and dreaming of a glass house on the Nile? You can too. Just bring your broken pieces. We’ll make art.

Written by: Nicole Priscilla Lawino

My social media handle is “The Goddess Lawino” on Tiktok, Spotify, X/ twitter, Vimeo and Instagram

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The post “From Cradle Bars to Camera Lenses: How I Accidentally Became a Voice of Creative Influence in Uganda”~By Nicole appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

As I continued on my journey after my failed relationship with Brian, I began to feel a deep sense of emptiness inside. I tried to fill it with entertainment, parties, and food, but nothing seemed to satisfy me. I felt lost and alone, like I was wandering through a dark forest without a map. I wondered why boys often rejected me. Wasn’t I beautiful enough? Wasn’t I woman enough?

As I searched for answers, something shifted inside me. I started to feel a sense of curiosity, a sense of wonder. I began to ask questions about the meaning of life, the nature of God, and why He had taken my parents away when I still needed them. Maybe if they were around, life would have been different.

I missed my dad deeply. I missed my mum too, but not as much because I hardly knew her. I lost her at the tender age of seven. Growing up as a girl without a mother, I often felt like a part of me was missing. I wondered how warm her embrace would have been if I had come back crying over my broken relationships. Would she have scolded me or wiped my tears? Had she been around, perhaps Brian wouldn’t have taken advantage of me. So many questions, yet no answers.

During that time, I started to explore different spiritual traditions, seeking guidance and answers to my questions. I moved from church to church, from denomination to denomination, even exploring Islam, Catholicism, and various Protestant groups. I was hungry for something deeper, something real. I joined the Catholic choir, then later the Baptist choir, and eventually the Pentecostal choir. It wasn’t easy, but the journey was truly worth it. I encountered obstacles and setbacks, but I persevered, driven by a determination to grow and learn. At times, I felt like drowning in a sea of uncertainty—different beliefs taught different things. But I kept going, kept seeking, and kept asking. Gradually, I started to feel a sense of peace, a connection to something greater than myself.

As I ventured deeper into my spiritual journey, I discovered the sense of purpose and meaning I had longed for. I realized that life was more than just existing or being in a relationship with a man—I was meant to thrive! I realized I wasn’t alone. So many girls like me were struggling, seeking, and trying to find their way. I also learned it’s okay to not have all the answers or to feel uncertain. Then something miraculous happened. I experienced a profound spiritual awakening that changed my life forever.

One day during my secondary school vacation, I met a handsome and talented musician named Francis. He offered to teach me how to play the guitar. The truth is, he was too handsome to resist. I thought that if I went to church with him, something good might come out of it. As we spent more time together, I shared my dream of becoming a famous musician, and he invited me to attend choir practices at his church.

I was blown away by the beauty and passion of the choir members as they sang their hearts out to God. Francis’s talent and dedication to his faith were inspiring, and I found myself drawn not just to him but to the worship music and the joy of being in God’s presence. One evening, Francis asked me to meet him at a neighboring church to learn more about guitar playing. As we talked, he shared his testimony and told me about the love of Jesus Christ. I was moved by his words, and when he asked me to confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I said yes. It was a moment of surrender, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

As I left the church that evening, I felt a strange sensation, like I had entered a new dimension. Later, I went to a discotheque, but the music and dancing that once brought me joy now felt empty and meaningless. I saw people trying to fill the void in their lives with temporary pleasures, but I knew I had found something deeper and more fulfilling. That was the last time I ever stepped foot in a discotheque. I realized salvation wasn’t just a religious concept but a personal experience that transformed my life. I wondered if this was what it meant to be born again—to see the world with new eyes and a new heart.

From that day on, I knew I had found my purpose, and my life would never be the same. I was no longer the same person seeking love from others. I had found true love—the unconditional love of God. I am forever grateful for my encounter with Francis and the love of Jesus Christ that changed me. If you’re feeling lost, especially after a failed relationship, feeling alone or uncertain, know this: you’re not alone. Keep seeking, keep asking, and keep exploring. Involve a higher power who knows all the answers—the God of the universe.

Life Lessons from My Journey:

1. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith – Trying something new could lead to a
life-changing encounter.
2. The power of surrender is immense – Let go of your fears and doubts, and you’ll be
amazed at what God can do in your life.
3. True joy and peace come from within – Don’t settle for temporary pleasures that leave
you feeling empty and unfulfilled.
4. Your life has purpose and meaning – Don’t waste it on things that don’t matter.
Instead, seek your passion and pursue it wholeheartedly.

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