Started in the year 2022, Northern Uganda Hip Hop Culture – NUHC was selected as one of the CBOs in Northern Uganda, Lamwo district to join hands in the fight against Malaria with the aim to eliminate and eradicate malaria by 2030. Creatively NUHC is using Forum Theatre as one of the tools to create awareness and mindset change in Malaria prevention and Control among women and children in Padibe Town council. this is an initiative for community social mobilisation and social behavior change communication aim at reducing malaria burden. The program is aligned to the G.o.U’s Malaria elimination Strategic Objective 4 that is at least 85% of the population practices correct malaria prevention and management measures. The development objective of the program is to increase awareness on malaria prevention and uptake of malaria health care services. Today NUHC in partnership with Malaria Consortium, TASO and The Government of Uganda are encouraging the Mass Action Against Malaria (MAAM) as away to achieve the goal of elimination and eradication of malaria by 2030.
NUHC partnered with Malaria Consortium, TASO and the Government of Uganda in the implementation of the strategic intervention 1 for Mass awareness creation with a main target of Malaria prevention and Control among women and children from 43% to 20% in Padibe town council, reducing malaria burden among women through community social mobilisation and social behaviour change communication by December 2022 some of the activities done were engaging all the stakeholders by organising project inception to orientate them on the project goal and objectives.
Mr. Mwaka Benson (Mc Benny) the Executive Director conducting community awareness dialogues with community gate keepers to build Public consensus and commitment for increased demand and uptake of malaria prevention and care programs among women and children. in the meeting we engaged the Local Council, Religious leaders, Village HealthTeams (VHTs) and Health Management committees.
We organised health facility engagements meeting for up to date messages so that Partners and facility management address gaps in malaria health service delivery.
Conducted monthly home visits to follow up pregnant and children to assess utilisation of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), nutrition, mosquito breeding grounds, GBV and child abuse. The project activities cover all the Parishes in Padibe Town council and the progress report highlights what has been done for period of November 2022.
In conclusion, forum theatre has the potential to make a positive impact on malaria eradication efforts in Padibe Town Council, Lamwo District by raising awareness, promoting behavior / mindset change, empowering communities, incorporating local culture, and being a sustainable and scalable intervention. By engaging communities in a participatory and creative way, forum theatre can contribute to efforts aimed at reducing malaria transmission and improving health outcomes in Padibe Town Council, Lamwo District, Northern Uganda.
Northern Uganda Hiphop Culture 