Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda has launched a new theatre-based mentorship initiative, TRAPPED, at Naalya Senior Secondary School (S.S.) Bweyogerere Campus, in a bid to tackle drug and substance abuse among students.
The premiere opened a school tour that will use live performance, storytelling and guided reflection to connect with learners in a more engaging way than conventional lectures. Through drama, the program highlights real-life situations involving peer pressure, curiosity, emotional stress and the gradual pull of substance use.
After the performance, facilitators led students in reflection and counselling sessions, giving them space to share their thoughts, relate the message to their own experiences and discuss practical ways of making safer choices. The conversations focused on resisting peer pressure, managing emotions, protecting personal goals and understanding the long-term impact of small decisions.
Teachers at the school praised the approach, describing it as interactive, moving and highly effective in keeping students engaged throughout the session. They noted that learners were attentive during the performance and active in the discussion that followed.
According to the organizers, TRAPPED is built around a simple but powerful message: small choices can shape a young person’s future. They said theatre helps students see themselves in the story, making the lessons more personal and memorable.
Students responded positively to the launch, with many appreciating the program’s realistic and non-judgmental approach to a sensitive issue.
The initiative will now be rolled out to other schools across the region as part of a broader youth outreach campaign aimed at strengthening resilience and decision-making among young people. For more information, visit Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda’s website.