Reinventing the Golden Era of Ugandan Theatre

Muduuma Kwe Kwaffe to Premiere at the National Theatre this Saturday 

There a time was when indigenous plays were a favourite in theatre halls, and when school drama festivals were vibrant. This golden age of Ugandan theatre was orchestrated by distinct literary figures among others Robert Serumaga, Rose Mbowa, Byron Kawadwa and Wycliffe Kiyingi in the 60s to late 70s.

These dramatists became famous for powerfully constructed topical plays that provided rich entertainment as well as biting social satire so much the Kiyingi's hugely radio series, Wokulira, which began in 1962 were later banned by Idi Amin while Kawadwa was murdered because of his highly critical play, Oluyimba Lwa Wankoko.

The annual inter-school festivals were so competitive that only the best of the best earned the honour of performing for a packed house at the National Theatre in Kampala. Kings College, Budo, set the pace in this regard with Shakespeare productions that actually inspired Kiyingi to establish the first all-African theatrical group, African Artists Association, in 1954 purposely to promote native drama.

Kiyingi's television series Buli Enkya, Buli Ekiro (1962), Gwosussa Emwanyi (1963) got multitudes hooked. In 1965, Kiyingi went to Bristol to study drama and on returning a year later continued doing what he loved most –writing and producing stage, radio and television dramas of enviable quality. His 1972 play, Lozio ba Cecilia, became a literature set book while Muduuma Kwe Kwaffe (1972) established him as playwright of indisputable distinction.

Golden Artist
It's for his tremendous contribution to the theatre industry that Kiyingi has been acclaimed by critics as "the encyclopedia of drama" and "the moving spirit behind modern theatre in Uganda." And during celebrations to mark 50 years of the existence of the Uganda National Theatre earlier this year, the 80-year old Kiyingi was crowned as "Golden Artist" and his book, Muduuma kwe Kwaffe officially launched.

The play which is a hilarious exposé of the economic exploitation Ugandans endured under Asians and the seeming inability of Ugandans to take charge of their political, social and economic affairs will starting July 3, 2010 be showing at the National Theatre as a step forward in reviving the theatrical glory that was as well as inspiring schools to resurrect school festivals.

"We want to set the trend of quality for the theatre industry in Uganda," says National Theatre Production Manager, Sam Okello. "It's a powerful production and we have heavily invested in as a way of setting the standard and provoking other theatre practitioners to promote our own plays and bring back the golden era of Ugandan theatre."

Directed by Kaya Kagimu Mukasa and featuring some of the finest performers in the land –Patriko Mujuuka Sophie Matovu, Sam Okello, Sophie Matovu, Edwin Mulazi, Agnes Nakakawa and even the National Theatre Artistic Director Mr. Joseph Walugembe, Muduuma Kwe Kwaffe will after the July 3^rd premiere continue to show twice every Saturday and Sunday at the Theatre until August 3, 2010.

Tickets are already on sale at the National Theatre Box Office for 10,000 Shillings.