By Nicolas Akasula
In the heart of Uganda, where storytelling weaves the fabric of culture and community, one woman has harnessed the power of theatre to spark change. Ulokcwinyu Ubia Hope, affectionately known as Obiamwrights, has turned performance into a tool for healing, education, and empowerment. Through her Obiamwrights Foundation, she is helping marginalised communities confront social challenges, one play at a time.
Birth of a vision
Growing up in Zombo District, Ubia witnessed the struggles of displacement, gender inequality, and trauma. But she also recognised something powerful: the ability of storytelling to unite people, provoke dialogue, and foster healing. While studying at Makerere University’s Department of Performing Arts and Film, she founded the Obiamwrights Foundation in her second year, determined to use theatre as a catalyst for social transformation.
Unlike traditional stage performances, applied theatre is interactive, it invites communities to participate, reflect, and collectively seek solutions to their problems. For Ubia, this approach was key. “No one understands the gravity of an issue better than those who have lived through it,” she says adding: “Theatre allows them to own their narratives and find answers within themselves.”
Changing lives, one performance at a time
Ubia’s work has taken her across Uganda and beyond, addressing issues such as gender-based violence, mental health, and conflict resolution. One of her most challenging yet impactful projects was in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in 2021. Initially met with skepticism, many refugees had encountered NGOs that failed to deliver, she and her team paused their activities and instead listened.
“We spent days speaking with community leaders, understanding their frustrations,” she recalls. “Only then did we begin performances, not as outsiders, but as partners.” The project became a blueprint for the foundation’s approach: participatory, patient, and rooted in trust.
Empowering women, youth
A core pillar of Ubia’s mission is uplifting young people, particularly girls. Through initiatives like ‘She Needs a Pad’ (2022) and the ongoing ‘Stay in School Campaign (2025), she has equipped girls aged 15-20 with leadership skills, conflict-resolution techniques, and confidence-building exercises—all through theatre.
“In many communities, girls are silenced before they even speak,” Ubia explains. “Our workshops give them a safe space to express themselves, debate, and realise their potential.” Many participants have gone on to advocate for education and gender equality in their own villages.
Theatre as therapy
Beyond advocacy, Ubia’s work delves into healing. In post-conflict regions like Mid-Western Uganda, survivors of war and domestic violence have used drama to process trauma. By re-enacting their experiences, participants find liberation and rebuild their sense of self.
Her mental health programmes also extend to schools, where students use improvisation and role-playing to tackle stress and anxiety. “Theatre isn’t just about performance,” she says. “It’s about emotional resilience.”
Legacy in the making
Ubia dreams of expanding the foundation’s reach, establishing theatre hubs in underserved areas and training more facilitators in applied theatre. “Every community, no matter how remote, deserves this tool,” she insists.
Her impact is already evident. Christopher Tenderi, a frequent contributor to the foundation’s fundraisers, says: “She’s shown me that even small actions can change lives.” Peter Onenchan, a colleague from Kiryandongo Video Advocates, adds: “Her leadership has inspired students to see storytelling as a force for change.”
Even her brother, Daniel Ubia, marvels at her dedication: “She turned her vision into reality faster than I could, proof that passion moves mountains.”
How the foundation works
Ubia explains: “We start by researching a community before we engage with them. We identify key figures who can help us mobilise, or sometimes, we live among the people to understand their challenges firsthand. If resources are limited, we plan shorter stays.
We then stage theatre performances, but we never impose our ideas on the community. Instead, we help them explore their own issues and identify solutions. Follow-ups are essential, we check on progress, assess improvements, and, if needed, seek support from larger organisations to address unresolved challenges.”
Through its participatory approach, the Obiamwrights Foundation ensures that communities remain at the centre of their own transformation, proving that change through storytelling is not just possible—it is powerful.
Ubia’s story is a proof to the power of art in driving social change. Her work proves that listening, engaging, and believing in communities can unlock solutions no outsider could impose.
As the Obiamwrights Foundation grows, it serves as a inspiration for artists, activists, and anyone who believes in grassroots transformation. “Every community holds the answer to its own challenges. We just help them find it,” Ubia says.
