How did Ugandan playwrights use folk tales and legends to criticize political power?

Ugandan playwrights have historically utilized folk tales and legends as a sophisticated, ingenious strategy to navigate hazardous political climates and deliver courageous critiques of power. By framing their narratives within the context of seemingly innocuous traditional stories, artists were able to bypass censorship and offer biting commentary on contemporary social and political issues.1

This method of using discreet allegory allowed dramatists to address sensitive topics, such as the corruption of power, without inviting immediate state retaliation. For example, Elvania Zirimu’s play When the Hunchback Made Rain (1975) employed this technique to make a powerful political statement regarding the abuse of authority. Similarly, Byron Kawadwa’s satirical work Oluimba lwa Wankoko (The Song of Mr. Cock) explored the dangerous ambitions of a usurping politician against a traditional ruler, a theme that resonated deeply during the repressive years of Idi Amin’s rule.1

By drawing on the rich performance resources and oral traditions of Uganda’s various ethnic groups, these playwrights transformed traditional storytelling into a vital tool for political expression and social resistance.1