We will not sell National Theatre - UNCC new board of trustees

The new board of trustees of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) has refuted rumours claiming that their appointment was orchestrated to facilitate the sale of the country’s historic site, the National Theatre.

During the board’s inspection of the centre's premises and other properties on May 7, 2024, the chairperson, Prof. Opio Okaka, asserted that these allegations were unfounded and intended to malign the new board.

He emphasised that their mandate is to safeguard, preserve, and enhance the centre’s properties, not to sell them.

"Absolutely not! We are not here to sell any properties of the UNCC. Such rumours likely stem from individuals opposed to progress. Our duty is to maintain the integrity of the center and protect all its assets," Okaka declared.

He further disclosed that the National Theatre would undergo renovations to meet international standards, aimed at providing greater benefits to creatives.

Additionally, Okaka revealed that considering the available space at the National Theatre, his team is contemplating the addition of various structures that would generate more income for the center and create additional exhibition spaces for artistes.

It should be noted that there were speculations within creative circles about a potential sale of the property to make way for the construction of an arcade filled with shops. This concern was previously voiced in 2021 and 2023, by various creatives who were alarmed by the dilapidated state of the facility. The decline in theatre audiences following the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, fuelled beliefs that the facility was obsolete as audiences had migrated online.

This perception was also challenged by the board’s vice-chairperson, Phina Mugerwa, who emphasised the enduring relevance of theatre in shaping the country’s social landscape through educational, informative, and entertaining plays.

"The internet will not halt the progress of theatre. We have strategic plans to reinvigorate theatre, aiming to attract large audiences back to theatres in Uganda, as was the case in the past," Mugerwa stated.