Shame on Your Hand

Written by Playwrights Playhouse

Staged on Friday, 4th, 2025 at Goethe Zentrum Kampala, Shame on Your Hand is a powerful and emotionally charged story centered on Atuhaire, a loving and supportive mother whose life takes a dramatic turn when her son, Andrew, becomes the man she has patiently waited to confront. Conceived through rape, Andrew represents the trauma Atuhaire has harbored for years – a symbol of pain, injustice, and the unresolved wrath against a system that has historically silenced women’s suffering.

As Andrew comes of age, so does Atuhaire’s resolve to reclaim her voice and confront the deeply rooted injustices that her body and soul have endured. This play speaks boldly and unapologetically to the experience of womanhood in all its layers – biological, emotional, political, and spiritual – and resonates deeply with both urban and rural audiences, women and men alike.

The spontaneous post-show engagement proved the play’s relevance and necessity. Audience members expressed a desire for the production to reach broader platforms – community centers, schools, theatres, and festivals – as it addresses issues that are too often left in the shadows. The performance was a catalyst for dialogue on gender-based violence, motherhood, trauma, and the reclamation of female agency.

The play was directed by Shanita Akandinda and written by Philip Luswata. The music, composed by Philip Luswata and Branco Sekalegga, enhanced the emotional fabric of the show, serving as both a balm and a battle cry.