Why was Byron Kawadwa's Oluimba lwa Wankoko dangerous to perform under Idi Amin?

Byron Kawadwa's play Oluimba lwa Wankoko (The Song of Mr. Cock) was considered dangerous to perform under the regime of Idi Amin because it was a political satire that depicted the ambitions of a usurping politician against a traditional ruler.1

Given the oppressive nature of Amin's rule, such themes were perceived as a direct challenge to his authority. The play's performance at the 1977 Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in Lagos reportedly led to severe consequences; Kawadwa, who served as the director of the Uganda National Theatre, was allegedly murdered on Amin’s orders following the production. This tragic event underscores the extreme risks artists faced when using theatre to critique political power during that era.1