This form of interactive theatre engages the audience in the performance, encouraging them to suggest alternative actions and solutions to the problems presented in the play after its conclusion.
Northern Uganda Hip-Hop
Culture, a youth-led organization, has introduced Forum Theatre as a new method
for community engagement and social change.
The organization, founded by
local musicians, aims to transform and empower young people, particularly
teenage mothers and vulnerable youth. They provide hands-on skills training in
tailoring and hairdressing to foster positive change within the community.
Benson Mwaka, also known as
MC Benny, the Executive Director of Northern Uganda Hip-Hop Culture, emphasizes
the organization's commitment to empowering young people to become agents of
change.
"We believe that young
people have the power to transform their communities," he stated.
"Through our programs, we equip them with the skills and knowledge needed
to make a positive impact."
Forum Theatre is part of the
organization's broader efforts to promote behavioural and social change in the
community.
This form of interactive
theatre engages the audience in the performance, encouraging them to suggest
alternative actions and solutions to the problems presented in the play after
its conclusion.
"Forum Theatre offers a
platform for community members to engage with social issues in an interactive
and participatory manner," Mwaka explained.
"By involving the audience,
we empower them to take ownership of the challenges affecting their community
and collaborate to find solutions."
In Kitgum, the Forum Theatre
project focuses on critical issues such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS,
substance abuse, and the prevention and eradication of malaria, among others.
Mercy Acayo, one of the
participants, noted that the Forum Theatre performance helped her understand
the impact of domestic violence on families and communities.
"I never realized how domestic violence
could affect so many people," she commented. "The performance made me
reflect on my behaviour and inspired me to work towards preventing domestic
violence in my community."
The Forum Theatre project in
Kitgum is part of a larger initiative aimed at promoting behavioural and social
change in northern Uganda. Mwaka believes the project has significant potential
to impact the community.
"We consider Forum
Theatre a powerful tool for promoting behavioural and social change," he
remarked. "We are eager to see the effects this project will have on the
Kitgum community."
He added that Forum Theatre
is a valuable addition to the strategies for promoting behavioural and social
change in northern Uganda.
Mwaka says that by empowering community members to take ownership of
the issues they face, Forum Theatre holds the promise of making a lasting
impact in the region.
Opoka Denis
Freelancer