The Burdens Of John Ruganda

Wamala, an erstwhile Cabinet Minister of a country in post-independence Africa, was detained for plotting with foreigners to overthrow the government. When released he failed to reconcile himself with the life of abject poverty and nagging family obligations.

Act I poses the problem deceptively as if the argument going on is the familiar one of the neglected wife exploiting sympathy from her two children and using it to fight the husband.

In Act II, with rapidly increasing tension, both wife and husband bring up their past and end by having their greatest confrontation. The impression at the end of Act II is that this is the last moment of choice for Wamala: to find his feet as a man or to go under finally. Act III reveals the aftermath of his choice.

John Ruganda has maintained a keen interest in theatre since his student days at Makerere University College, where he graduated with an honours degree in English Literature.

He is a lecturer in the Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi. His two full-length plays, Black Mamba and Covenant with Death are published by the East African Publishing House. Study Guide to ‘The Burdens’ by E. Kitonga is also available.