Ernest Cook University Formally ECUREI
Edutainment Drama Project for Prostate Cancer Awareness in Uganda
Through Edutainment Drama Project for Prostate Cancer Awareness in Uganda
The Edutainment Drama Project is a collaborative health education initiative involving Bakayimbira Dramactors, the Elders Council of the Uganda Theatre Association, and Ernest Cook University (ECU), with support from Prof. Sam Kasule of the University of Derby. The initiative has focused on using culturally rooted drama to raise awareness about prostate cancer, promote early diagnosis, and reduce fear and stigma associated with medical screening
procedures.
Ernest Cook University is a recognised leader in medical imaging training and services in the country. The University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Buganda Kingdom Government which facilitates the delivery of medical outreach camps across the central region of Uganda, where prostate cancer screening is one of the core services provided.
Community Engagement Approach
Through a carefully developed edutainment model, skits performed by the Bakayimbira drama group are displayed sometime physically and at other times via Video during outreach camps to explain prostate cancer symptoms, the importance of early testing, and what to expect during screening. These performances are tailored to local languages and customs, allowing community members to relate to the messages and reduce fear. This approach also eases the burden on healthcare workers by improving patient readiness and reducing resistance to diagnostic procedures.
The drama-based health education methodology is informed by ongoing research led by Prof. Sam Kasule. Workshops and training sessions enabled the creation of performance scripts grounded in local storytelling traditions, ensuring cultural relevance and audience engagement.
Digital Expansion
To extend its reach, Ernest Cook University is embarking on adapting the project’s content for social media platforms. Skits are recorded and paired with short interactive questionnaires designed to guide viewers toward screening services and address common concerns. These digital tools aim to complement the physical outreach and ensure continuity of education beyond the camp setting.
Impact
Within its first two years, the project has been successfully implemented in Luweero, Mityana, and Kampala districts. Feedback from both health professionals and community members has been overwhelmingly positive. The initiative has demonstrated that when cultural expression is meaningfully integrated into health campaigns, awareness and service uptake increase significantly.
This initiative underscores the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare delivery. It affirms the potential of performance arts not only as a medium of education but also as a bridge between health institutions and the communities they serve. The model is adaptable and holds promise for broader application in other public health initiatives across Uganda and beyond.
