For many Ugandans, theatre was simply a stage for plays, but in the late 1980s and 1990s, it developed into a powerful tool for public health. During a period when HIV was poorly understood and surrounded by rumours, theatre bridged the gap between science and society. It enabled people to confront the epidemic in a language they understood and through characters who reflected their own fears and choices.
Plays such as Gampisi, Hydra, and Ndiwulira defined this era, capturing the grief and anxiety that permeated the country. However, none left a deeper impact than Bakayimbira Dramactors’ Ndiwulira. Named after the destructive maize weevil, the play follows the tragic journey of Muwanga, a young man who returns home from abroad infected with HIV. Angry, ashamed, and afraid, he vows to take revenge by infecting any woman he encounters. The production was raw and unsettling, forcing audiences to confront the consequences of risky behaviour in a way that no poster or pamphlet could.
Ndiwulira toured across the country, filling halls and school compounds, and was even performed for President Museveni and his family in Rwakitura in 1992. It was later televised on UTV and taken abroad, spreading its message far beyond the stage.
Actor Aloysius Matovu Joy says the play frightened people into being cautious, awakening an entire generation to the dangers of unprotected sex. Many still say it changed and possibly saved their lives.
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