The Burdens by John Ruganda

John Ruganda's work The Burdens explores difficult issues such as education, politics, poverty, and human brutality with one another. It follows the main character, Wamala, as he loses his position as a government minister and falls into poverty despite his denials.

The drama is set in post-independence Uganda, and the vocabulary is sometimes Africanized. The play focuses on Wamala, a humble teacher whose work

As 'thumbing pieces of chalk', on the brink of independence, he miraculously finds himself as a minister with all the concomitant privileges. Unfortunately for Wamala, his overriding desire to go up a rank and a willing audience to cheer him on leads to his downfall.

Wamala is left with nothing but a nagging wife, Tinka, a sensitive son, Kaija, and a

Nyakake is their daughter. Wamala's background becomes an irritant as he fails to deal with

isreality. He revisits his past through reminiscences, daydreams, and reveries.

He fails to confront the reality of the world and turns to heavy drinking and adultery. He routinely taunts and physically assaults his wife when she accuses him of adultery and arriving home late. As a result, he fails to meet his marital and family commitments. In an attempt to break free from the grip of poverty, Wamala coined the slogan Syndicatescheme in order to obtain quick cash from politicians. He also devises the notion of safety matches with two heads as a means of saving money for the average impoverished man. This scheme is never purchased because of its unfavorable social and economic consequences. Tinka accepts reality and devotes her time to weaving mats to make ends meet.