Ex-child actors struggle to trace original play from UBC 34 years later
The 1991 Nabuyonga Primary School cast of “The Riddle”. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The play, which aimed to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
- The star-studded cast included Samuel Oonyu, Collins Otim, Ivan Nandege, Paul Mundeyi, Paddy Kinconco, Shadrach Wasikye, Edna Nandutu, Rachel Namulondo, and Ahmed Marjani, many of whom are now in their late 40s.
The copyright of a play performed by pupils from Nabuyonga Primary School in Mbale City 34 years ago has reportedly gone missing from Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Television (UBC TV).
In 1991, Nabuyonga Primary School represented the Bugisu Sub-region at the national drama finals held at the National Theatre in Kampala after emerging as regional winners with their play titled “The Riddle.”
The play, which aimed to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The star-studded cast included Samuel Oonyu, Collins Otim, Ivan Nandege, Paul Mundeyi, Paddy Kinconco, Shadrach Wasikye, Edna Nandutu, Rachel Namulondo, and Ahmed Marjani, many of whom are now in their late 40s.
The competition also marked the first time some of the actors had traveled to Kampala, with the group making the journey by truck through Tororo District. They were accompanied by Ms Connie Nakayenze Galiwango, who was the school’s patron and drama teacher at the time and is now the Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament.
Upon arriving in Kampala, the team camped at Shimoni Teachers’ Training College, which is now the site of Kingdom Hotel. UTV (now UBC TV) was the official broadcaster for the competition.
“I went to UBC to search for a blueprint of the play by the Nabuyonga team, but failed to find it,” said a cast member, who requested to remain anonymous. “The script was really powerful. My late dad and sister attended and, afterward, my dad was also interested in the blueprint. Do your research and ask UBC if they have ‘The Riddle’ from Nabuyonga Primary School's 1991 presentation.”
Samuel Oonyu, one of the lead actors, expressed his frustration and offered a reward. “We were in Primary Seven and went through district, regional, and then national competitions. The play was perfect, emotional, and left the audience in tears. My dad and sister cried,” Oonyu recalled. “I’m willing to pay $1,000 (around Shs3.7 million) to anyone who finds the original script of our play.”
Fellow cast member Ivan Nandege shared that the play focused on AIDS awareness and was inspired by the late singer Philly Bongoley Lutaaya, highlighting the spread and prevention of the disease. “It was an impactful play,” Nandege said. “Later, around 1992, while at Nabumali High School, I encountered another play called ‘The Hydra,’ which was quite similar to ‘The Riddle.’”
UBC TV responds
Mr. Malachi Kabaale Mubiru, a Librarian in charge of digitization at UBC, explained that all copyrights related to the play are reserved by the broadcaster due to their investment in the effort and equipment. He acknowledged that some tapes are still available, but others were lost during the transition from Nakasero.
“Machines are out of order, but once we get them, the digitisation will happen; I can give you my word that we haven’t taken a catalogue of everything,” he added.
