Butterflies of Uganda

Isn't that a beautiful title? Well, Butter Flies of Uganda is showing at the National Theatre this weekend, starting tomorrow Saturday to Sunday, 3:00 and 7:00 pm respectively. And the good news is that it's on us --which means it's absolutely free!

Because it's drawn from real life, Butterflies of Uganda is closer home that you can imagine. Beyond the powerful symbolism behind the title, the story is as sobering as this line from the script can get: "Let me tell you a story. I was conceived in rape."  That's all I can reveal now because I don't want to spoil the broth for you.

And in case you have watched Butterflies of Uganda and you are not the kind that twice watches a film, then fret not! On the same menu, we also have Waiting for my Tractor, a short film by Theatre Factory. I've not watched the film but if what is written on the jacket can be trusted, then it's one hilarious film:

"Waiting for my Tractor is all about hope and tells us that our dreams can come true if we appreciate that there are others with similar goals, identify them and work with them towards overcoming our blockades and enjoying the fruits of taking action..."  

I don't know about you but as for me, it is with unbated breath that I'm looking forward to watching these films at the National Theatre tomorrow and on Sunday, once again at 3:00 and 7:00pm 

Black Mamba at the National Theatre

As part of its educational moves, the National Theatre will this weekend (Friday February 12-14) stage a production of the late Prof. John Ruganda's famous play, Black Mamba, at 3pm. Entrance free is 3,000 shillings for students and 5,000 for the rest.

 A sobering account of the things people do in the pursuit of "prosperity and a better life," Black Mamba is on the O-Level Literature Syllabus and is arguably Uganda 's finest works of literature in the drama genre. 

 The performance of this play also carries significant symbolism for all enthusiasts of Ugandan theatre as they remember the golden era of Ugandan theatre and Prof. Ruganda for his gripping writing style and illumination of social concerns in his works such as The Burdens (1972), Black Mamba (1973), The Floods (1980), Covenant with Death (1973), Music Without Tears (1982), Echoes of Silence (1986) and Telling the Truth Laughingly (1993) not forgetting his prolific poetry. 

 Ruganda's influence was so tangible that it would not be farfetched to call him the Henrik Isben of Uganda . During a 2008 Memorial Lecture in his honour at the University of Limpopo, where he taught before his death in 2007, he was described by Prof. Taban Lo Liyong as "an international and revered playwright, poet, actor and a theatre director; his work is a stone that will live for ever."

 At a time when Ugandan theatre is limping following fierce blows of competition from the music and movie industry, the staging of Black Mamba at the National Theatre is expected to stir up creative figures not only to keep the spirit of Ruganda alive but to churn out formidable manuscripts that shun evil but advocate for values in society while providing rich stage entertainment as well.

'The Meet' in their 4th Poetry Recital at National Theatre

The Lantern Meet of Poets will hold their 4th Poetry Recital under the theme "Footprints of Verse –an Odyssey." Come early this Saturday and grab your seat in the main auditorium of the National Theatre. At 6pm, the curtain will rise. Don't say I didn't tell you…

I don't know about you but I've not forgotten the hum and strum that coloured that evening toward the close of August 2009 when the Lantern Meet of Poets gathered in the National Theatre auditorium to give their ever increasing fans their Third Grand Recital.

It was a full house and I remember thinking that more than inspiring artistic creativity, this urban group of impassioned writers would forever be remembered for helping poetry find acceptance in Uganda.

The animated audience were fed on a glut of the impressive poems carefully selected and delivered to complement the theme of the night, A Fresh Coat of Paint. But most memorable was the homage and living tributes paid to connoisseurs gone and living -Okot p'Bitek, Henry Barlow, Dr. Susan Kiguli, Prof. David Rubadiri, Richard Ntiru and Prof. Timothy Wangusa, to mention.

Now, The Meet, as they are popularly known, will have their next recital this Saturday, February 6 at the National Theatre auditorium –and I can hardly contain myself! I mean they have seemingly done it all: poems that embody the universal human experience; tears and laughter, poverty and affluence, spirituality and degeneration, joy and hurt –think of every imaginable subject. And last time, the presentation was given a backdrop pf drum, guitar and violin music, what is it going to be this time, I wonder. What is going to be that extra zing?

Guy Mambo smiles simply and says if you liked the previous recitals this one is going to be bigger and better. And if you were in my shoes, what would you add, honestly? Well, see you this Saturday at the National Theatre, and don't worry because it's all free.

Jam Session Is Not In Jeopardy

I would like to draw your attention to the inaccuracies in the article, Jam Session in Danger Again that featured in The Observer of January 28-31, 2010. By reporting that the Jam Session is "in jeopardy," the writer, David Tumusiime, was speculating.

He didn't consult me or the director of this institution to cross-check his story for purposes of objectivity, accuracy, fairness and truth as the journalism profession demands.

The Monday night Jam Session has been a popular part of the entertainment menu since 1989, with urban people flocking to the National Theatre to enjoy a combo of live music and performances. As such, it cannot drift away just like that.

The scrupulous truth is that the Jam Session is undergoing a revolution for musical arrangements and live performances that will rhyme with the international definition of "a jam session."

Of essence is nurturing performers and helping others attain professionalism and global appeal. The regular performers and patrons were informed about this re-branding process way in advance; they endorsed the idea and are looking forward to a fresh Jam Session, new equipment, improved security, great partnerships, star performances and, most of all, an artistic soul that will serve as a role model to the entire industry here and across the border.

p.s. This response can be read in today's online edition of the The Observer as well.

Authors' Forum Comes to the National Theatre

The Authors' Forum has solidified its position as one of the most inspirational happenings on Uganda's social calendar, and become the balm that assuages the fears of many in a country where a poor reading culture and disrespect of intellectual property have long been bemoaned.

Concerned with nurturing talent and helping authors conquer writing hurdles, the Authors' Forum is a brainchild of Mr. Robert Bake, one of Uganda's Christian-inspirational authors, motivational speaker and the Managing Director of the World of Inspiration. It also links people who have new ideas with people who want to fund those ideas.

Five months since its launch in Kampala, the Authors' Forum continues to attract more formidable forces in the literary world as those who attended the November 2009 edition have testified about the electrifying presentation from Dr. Moss Mashamaite, a famed South African author and businessman. 

Now it has found a permanent home at the National Theatre which part of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC). This month’s edition, indeed, will be in the National Theatre Auditorium this Wednesday, February 3, starting 5:00p.m. Entrance fee: 15,000 shillings.

This time around, "The focus is on wealth creation," says Bake. "We're looking at how authors can raise funding through our work, and how we can use our works to influence positive values in society."

The guest of honour is Prof. Peter Kasesenene.