Decaying National Theatre casts shadow on World Theatre Day

As we celebrate World Theatre Day today, the spotlight turns to Uganda’s National Theatre.

At the end of last year, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, acknowledged a petition from the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) regarding the deteriorating state of the historic venue.

Led by Board of Trustees Chairperson Prof. Okaka Opio, the UNCC outlined numerous challenges hindering the theatre’s ability to host high-quality performances and cultural events.

A recent visit revealed the extent of the decay. Edwin Mukalazi, our tour guide, detailed the issues plaguing different sections of the theatre and their impact on productions.

Lights: A Dimming Stage

Any recent director at the National Theatre has a horror story about the lighting system. Only a handful of stage lights remain functional—and even those, Mukalazi notes, “get dangerously hot, making them unbearable for actors.”

The stage uses a mix of analog and digital lights. “The digital lights were acquired in 2017 with government funds for the East African Arts and Culture Festival (JAMAFEST),” Mukalazi explains. “The analog lights, however, date back to 1959 when the theatre was built by the colonial government.”

Most productions still rely on the outdated analog system, which consumes excessive power without delivering adequate lighting. Since many plays and concerts require specific lighting effects, theatre groups often bring their own—akin to renting a house and having to install your own windows.

The Carpet: Worn and Peeling

Inside the auditorium, sections of the carpet are visibly peeling off, exposing bare cement in some areas.

Stage Floor: Aging but Unique

While Mukalazi proudly claims the National Theatre has “the best stage floor in Uganda,” its condition is far from ideal. Much of the wood is over 50 years old, no longer smooth enough for certain movements like backslides.

Still, the stage boasts an orchestra pit—a rare feature in Uganda—making it ideal for musicals, operas, and classical performances.

Trap Door: A Forgotten Gem

The trap door, a classic theatre feature, opens to an underground space used for dramatic entrances, burial scenes, or resurrections. While the National Theatre is one of the few venues with this element, the pit beneath is in deplorable condition—no actor would willingly spend more than a minute there.

Dance Studio: A Hazard for Performers

The theatre once had a small dance studio, accommodating no more than 10 dancers. A later partnership helped expand it, but the current state is dire. Broken mirrors and cracked flooring make it unsafe for dancers—so risky that an insurance company would likely refuse coverage for ballerinas working there.

Fly Gallery: Outdated but Functional

For flying scenes, the theatre still uses an old pulley system, which remains operational with regular greasing. However, many directors now demand more advanced technology, which the venue lacks.

Toilets: An Overlooked Necessity

In theatre production, even restrooms matter. Professional producers may reject a venue over poor sanitation—and the National Theatre’s washrooms need more than a cleanup; they require a complete overhaul.

Mukalazi opening a trap door at the stage floor of National Theater

Audio Studio: Outsourcing Out of Necessity

The theatre’s audio equipment stopped working years ago, forcing management to rent from external providers. Mukalazi declined to name the company, but the lack of a functional in-house studio severely impacts music and sound effect production for performances.

A Call for Revival

The National Theatre remains a cultural landmark, but without urgent intervention, its ability to host world-class productions will continue to decline. As Uganda marks World Theatre Day, the question lingers: Will this historic stage receive the revival it deserves?