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On March 27, Uganda celebrated World Theatre Day alongside the rest of the world under the banner “strengthening the theatre industry in Uganda for wealth creation and sustainable development.”

 Roundtable talk shows, presentations, and performances of “black mamba,” written by John Rugunda, were all part of the festivities held at the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), also known as the National Theatre. The International Theatre Institute created World Theatre Day in 1961.

 Since 1967, this day has been observed every year. In, Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic’s keynote speech at the opening of the festivities, president of IDEA  (International Drama and Education Association),   redefined the global landscape of culture and arts education.

Actors at National theatre.

The UNNC’s executive director, Francis Peter Ojede, stated that this day gives us a chance to consider the significant contribution that theater makes to society and to honor the talented individuals and staff members who toil endlessly to bring us the magic of the stage.

“Theatre has the ability to inspire, challenge, and move us to see the world in new ways. All of our senses are involved, making it a distinctive form of art, he said. According to Ojede, as we commemorate World Theatre Day in 2023, we should acknowledge the tenacity and innovation of our sector in the face of unforeseen difficulties.

“We are proud of the innovative work that has emerged from these difficult times,” he said. “The pandemic has forced us to adapt and find new ways of connecting with audiences.

Jessica Atwooki Kaahwa, the President of Uganda Center of International Theatre Institute (ITI)Theatre in Uganda said like elsewhere in the world, Uganda has been affected by several issues, as well as perennial socio-political, economic, and cultural construction. Uganda Centre for ITI and its partners are excited to ensure theatre lives and thrives by doing several things and among them is taking theatre back to the communities where it was uprooted, integrating children in theatre activities, and archiving folkloric dramatic expressions as a way of fostering theatrical traditions of Uganda. She encouraged the Upcoming Theatre Practitioners to continue writing their comedies, satires, and the tragedies of our times.

Cast of silent voices.

“Our centre with the support of Emerging Theatre Artists has set up a library and in-residence space for play writers and designers to utilize in the realization of their creativity. This is the Center’s effort to give theatre the opportunity to live and thrive in the hands of the people who are to take it forward,” Atwooki said. In her key message, Samiha Ayoub, a renowned Egyptian actress said that theatre in its original essence is a purely human act based on the true essence of humanity, which is life. “In the words of the great pioneer Konstantin Stanislavsky, “Never come into the theatre with mud on your feet. Leave your dust and dirt outside. Check your little worries, squabbles, petty difficulties with your outside clothing – all the things that ruin your life and draw your attention away from your art – at the door,” She said

courtesy photo

“When we enter the stage, there is only one life for one human being inside of us, but this life has a great capacity to divide and reproduce to become many lives that we broadcast in this world so that it comes to life, flourishes, and spreads its fragrance to others.” said Samiha All of us who work in the theatre, including playwrights, directors, actors, scenographers, musicians, choreographers, and technicians, create a life that didn’t exist before we stepped onto the stage. Including kids in theater-related activities and recording folkloric dramatic expressions are two ways to support Uganda’s theatrical traditions. She urged the aspiring theater artists to keep penning their comedies, satires, and other plays.