The Burdens – by John Ruganda

The Burdens, written by John Ruganda, is a gripping Ugandan play first published in 1972. Set in post-independence East Africa, the play revolves around Tinka and Wamala, a once-promising government official now reduced to despair and drunkenness. Through intense domestic drama, Ruganda exposes the psychological and emotional weight of societal collapse, failed leadership, and the personal impact of political instability.

The title itself symbolizes the personal, political, and historical burdens carried by individuals and nations in the wake of independence. With its sharp dialogue, minimal setting, and emotional depth, The Burdens is a cornerstone of modern African theatre.