Rotarians use music, drama to relay messages

Kampala. The Rotary Club of Kampala Sunrise and the National Cultural Centre have partnered to use music, dance and drama to communicate development messages to Ugandans.
Speaking at the launch of a play at the National Theatre in Kampala at the weekend, Mr James Onyoin, the club president, said they have realised that culture is an important tool in communicating messages for programmes they implement in communities.
“Our culture is very important and we must preserve it. It defines us because it is our way of life. When used, drama is able to communicate messages clearly about issues such as child and maternal health, water and sanitation, peace building and conflict resolution,” Mr Onyoin said.
Mr Edwin Mukalazi, the production officer at the cultural centre, said they use drama to relay complex messages in a humorous manner.
“Drama is good for mobilising the community. We use humour to communicate boring subjects both in the theatre and the community where locals sometimes participate in the production,” Mr Mukalazi said.
The two-hour play titled; The Social Question, focused on child and maternal health and nutrition.
Ms Shamillah Bhatti, the governor of Rotary district 9211, who launched the initiative, said the partnership is unique, adding that she wanted it replicated in Tanzania because the country boosts of different cultures which require simpler ways of communication about health and development.
“The messages you have clearly brought here are in line with the areas of the Rotary foundation. I will be inviting you to Tanzania to perform,” she said.