Theater and human rights promotion in Kasese District, Western Uganda.

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Date
2019-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social sciences.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the role of theater in Human Rights promotion in Kasese District, Western Uganda. The study objectives were: To examine the extent to which Music promotes Human Rights in Kasese District. To examine the extent to which Dance promotes human rights in Kasese District.To examine the extent to which Drama promotes human rights in Kasese District.The study employed a descriptive design, and mixed method approaches. Accordingly, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to elicit data from the respondents. A population of 397 was studied using questionnaires and another 15 respondents were purposively selected for key informant interviews. Furthermore, the study was guided by The Social Learning Theory which assumes that humans are social beings who learn by observing the behavior of others. In this case, learning can be achieved consciously or subconsciously. The study findings revealed that theater through music, dance and drama has to a great extent played a significant role in the promotion of human rights in Kasese district. That Music has given a voice to the voiceless by making them aware of their rights and empowering them to report all violations , driven people to claim for basic rights and fundamental freedoms in a more peaceful manner, revealed inhumane and unprofessional behavior of leaders, army and police, facilitated peaceful coexistence with respect and dignity and promoted social accountability. Dance has been used to mobilise communities to live in harmony, provide psychological healing to the traumatised and reconciliation, offer alternatives to conflict resolution, generate self-efficacy and provoke critical thinking. Drama has raised awareness of human rights, facilitated dialogue, enhanced the sense of empathy, enhanced participation and created avenues for Empowerment. The study concludes that theater needs to be harnessed and tapped into so that the people of Kasese fully enjoy their rights. It further concludes that this significant contribution needs to be hitched by all agencies for the successful promotion of human rights and peace and therefore made recommendations on how agencies, institutions and the general public should benefit from it
Description
A thesis submitted to the college of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Arts Degree in Human Rights and Development Studies of Kampala International university
Keywords
Theater, Human rights promotion, Western, Uganda.
Citation