Through Our Eyes: Photovoice Study for TB Survivors Gains Momentum in Uganda

An innovative study using photography to amplify the voices of tuberculosis (TB) survivors is taking shape in Uganda, offering new insights into gendered pathways to health and the vital role TB survivors can play in ending TB.

The study team has concluded photovoice study with participants who received and complete TB treatment at Naguru Referral Hospital and Kawolo General Hospital. They engaged with TB survivors over a two-week period, equipped them with photography skills, and later with cameras, and asked them to take photos in their communities documenting their journeys.

The workshops marked a key moment in the research project, allowing survivors to share their stories in a way that words alone often can’t, revealing the emotional, social, and gendered dimensions of living with and overcoming TB. . The powerful visual narratives from the photos highlight TB survivors’ lived realities, concerns and questions, and contributions to their families and communities post-treatment.

The study, titled “Exploring Gendered Pathways to Strengthen the Involvement of TB Survivors in the Uganda TB Response,” is a collaboration between the Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) and the Fellowship of TB Survivors, health workers working at the respective TB clinics, and TB survivors from Lugazi and Kampala.

“TB survivors have a wealth of experience and insight, yet they are often left out of decision-making spaces,” said Dr. Ringwald, one of the researchers. “This study not only gives them a platform to speak about their lives but also an opportunity to discuss their recommendations with researchers, health professionals and policymakers.”

One of the participants who preferred anonymity noted that the study had boosted his reputation and community engagement about TB, as more people now feel free to consult him about the disease. “Now everyone one knows I am a TB survivor, when they want to know anything about the disease, they come to me”

As the project progresses, participants will present their selected photos and stories to policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to spark dialogue around engagement of TB survivors and support for TB champion programs. The ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and effective TB response—grounded in the realities of those who have lived through the disease.

The research is part of the LIGHT (Leaving No One Behind: Transforming Gendered Pathways to Health for TB) consortium, a six-year global health initiative funded by UK aid. It seeks to influence health policy by integrating gender and lived experience into TB response strategies.

The photovoice initiative also aligns with the Makerere University Lung Institute’s 10th anniversary celebrations, showcasing its continued commitment to innovative, people-centered approaches in lung health research.