Uganda
The Troll in Chantal and the Evil Senga played by three young community members
Uganda: Context and Place
Welcome to Jinja, Uganda
Our work in Uganda is rooted in the vibrant and scenic city of Jinja, nestled on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, and famously known as the source of the River Nile. With its lush greenery and generous rainfall, Jinja is not only beautiful but historically significant. Once a hub of colonial-era industry, the city grew around the construction of the first dam across the Nile in the 1950s, which brought hydroelectric power and a wave of factory development.
Walukuba and Masese: A Community in Transition
Our project is based in Walukuba/Masese, a district with deep historical roots and a dynamic present. Originally developed to house factory workers, the area was filled with rows of one-room houses built by both the local council and private factory owners. These homes, once intended for single men, are now occupied by entire families. While some of the original housing blocks still stand, the landscape has changed dramatically.
Today, Walukuba is a diverse and evolving community. The local council sold off much of its property, leading to a mix of older rental units and newer, privately owned homes. In contrast, Masese is the more deprived part of the district. Here, many families live in makeshift shelters built from scavenged materials like wooden planks and corrugated iron.
Walukuba and Masese Districts of Jinja
Life and Livelihoods
Employment remains a major challenge. While some residents still work in factories, wages are often low and opportunities limited. Many people turn to the informal economy—running roadside stalls, selling snacks, driving boda-bodas (motorbike taxis), or cultivating small plots of land for subsistence farming. Despite these hardships, the community is rich in resilience, creativity, and a desire for change.
A History of Arts-Led Empowerment
Over the past eight years, our team—led by Professor Jane Plastow and local collaborators—has engaged deeply with the Walukuba/Masese community through a wide range of arts-based social empowerment projects. Working with schools and community groups, we’ve explored pressing issues such as:
- Environmental awareness
- Domestic violence
- Gender equality
- Sex education
- Corruption
- Community cohesion
These projects have embraced a diverse array of artistic forms, including theatre, dance, music, poetry, photography, film, and visual art—creating powerful platforms for expression, dialogue, and transformation.
Why 'Communication and Creativity'?
The inspiration for this current project came from a recurring theme across all our previous work: the struggles people face in expressing themselves and being truly heard. Whether between couples, within families, in schools, or across the wider community, communication barriers often lead to misunderstanding, isolation, and conflict. These challenges, though deeply felt, are rarely openly discussed.
Communication and Creativity was born from the need to address this silent but significant issue—using the arts not just as a tool for expression, but as a bridge for connection and understanding.
A New Creative Hub: Walukuba Community Centre
Freshly-painted Walukuba Community Centre
Following extensive community consultation and collaboration, we have established a vibrant new base for our work at the fully refurbished Walukuba Community Centre. This welcoming space now hosts weekly arts and sports activities that will continue throughout the full three years of the project. It’s a place where creativity flourishes, voices are amplified, and the community comes together to imagine and shape a better future.
The Transformation of We are Walukuba Community Centre
A short film documenting the make-over of the Walukuba Community Centre building. Guiding us through is our Project Manager in Uganda - Brenda Mawerere.