By Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa Ugandan writer, Lloyd Lutara walked onto the stage in a red t-shirt and announced “…the world premiere of Strings.” For some, perhaps those words meant little, but to a number, especially those aware of the successes of the playwright, Angella Emurwon, they were a big deal. Her play won the 2012 […] Read More

By Maureen Murori and Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa Aganza Kisaka’s play, ‘Black’ was the shortest of all the acts that were displayed during the Kampala International Theatre Festival. That is not to say that it was any less captivating. Contrary to the thought, the play was most relatable to especially among Africans who have had a […] Read More

By Maureen Murori In a world that is constantly changing through modernization, youth culture is also evolving with many young people stuck in the middle as they transition from children to adulthood. In their struggle to fit in the society, many find themselves experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex, making them vulnerable to addiction and […] Read More

By Maureen Murori and Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa “Mourning Sun” was one of the most well received acts at the third edition of Kampala International Theatre Festival. The play that speaks about Fistula among young Oromo girls in Ethiopia was premised on the relationship between two childhood sweethearts – Abdi and Biftu, and how their relationship […] Read More

By Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa Deborah Asiimwe is the festival director of Kampala International Theatre Festival. She’s one of the busiest people on the compound of Ndere Cultural Centre because she is coordinating a lot of things. However, this Sunday afternoon, I am able to corner her for about 5 minutes to ask her a few […] Read More

By Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa Sitting in the audience while watching Barzakh is an otherworldly experience. Jad Hakawati, the play’s director says he and Roaa Bzeih, who takes centre stage, felt the same way the first time this play was staged in Beirut. Jad Hakawati first heard about Kampala International Theatre Festival on Facebook. It was […] Read More

By Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa There’s a distinct feminine feel to this year’s theatre festival. Perhaps one can posit that theatre is a very feminine act seeing as it involves the evocation of emotion that is most times unwelcome in masculine circles. Saturday morning at Ndere Centre and I am in the audience of a conversation […] Read More

By Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa The person of William Chewe Musonda stands gapingly far from the “most wretched of the Earth” in the stage reading of his play that we have just watched. He has a calm demeanour, his freshly shaven face has a black and white mingle of hair that shows age which in Africa […] Read More

By Maureen Murori I have seen films with actors doubling two to three roles in a show, and the results are amazing. During the ongoing Kampala International Theatre Festival (KITF), I was introduced to a whole new range of raw talent. I witnessed artists take on more than three roles which to me is a […] Read More

By Maureen Murori The stage is warmly lit, with a couch centrally placed, creating a rich ambiance to usher in an adaptation of a short story, Tropical Fish, by Doreen Baingana. The conference room we’re in at Ndere Cultural Centre sits about fifty people. They have come to see the story brought to life by […] Read More

By Celma Costa The mood is rather somber, at least more than what the typical theatre audience would expect. It’s the evening’s last performance, and we are called to gather for a brief word from the playwright. Caution. This play needs you to be quiet. And sit close. These are his words as he ushers us […] Read More