Nakayima, an artiste who uses music to advocate for disability rights

Matilda Whitney Nakayima, a passionate artist known by her stage name 'Matty Witty,' is using her music to advocate for the rights of young people living with disabilities. Born with a disability herself, Nakayima has experienced firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with it. However, instead of letting her disability hold her back, she has turned it into a powerful tool for advocacy.

"I was born with a disability, and I understand the challenges that young people with disabilities face," Nakayima said. "The biggest challenges are stigma and discrimination. People often look at us with pity or sympathy, but we don't want to be pitied. We want to be treated with dignity and respect."

Nakayima has produced several songs that address various aspects of disability rights, including education, employment, and social inclusion. Her music is not only a source of inspiration for young people with disabilities but also a powerful tool for advocacy.

One of her songs, "Muleke Asoome," emphasizes the importance of keeping girls in school. Research has shown that when girls remain in school, they significantly reduce their chances of getting HIV, marrying early, and becoming pregnant. Nakayima's song is part of an Extended Play (EP) album that addresses different advocacy aspects affecting the lives of young people.

Recently, Nakayima partnered with the Rotary Club of Mahaba and other Rotary Clubs to organize an outreach to the Kireka Home for the Mentally Handicapped. The outreach aimed to put a Christmas smile on the faces of the children and create awareness about the existence of young people with disabilities.

"I was selected to be a goodwill ambassador for the different Rotary Clubs that organized this outreach," Nakayima said. "The purpose of this outreach was to show love and care to these children during the festive season. We wanted to make them feel special and included."

During the outreach, Nakayima and the Rotarians gave out an assortment of items, including balls, dolls, soap, and other Christmas gifts. The children were thrilled to receive the gifts, and Nakayima was happy to see them smile.

Nakayima's initiative, The Good Will of Love Initiative, aims to build capacity and positive attitudes towards children with disabilities. The initiative works to change public attitudes towards people living with disabilities by promoting a culture of self-reliance and independence.

"We are working on building confidence among young people with disabilities," Nakayima said. "We believe they need to grow up knowing they do not have to rely on handouts and goodies. They need to know that they can work and earn themselves a living."

The Good Will of Love Initiative conducts mindset initiatives through activities such as teaching technical training, encouraging children to embrace alternative education, and promoting talent building through sports.

Nakayima's music and advocacy work have inspired many young people with disabilities to speak out about their issues and demand their rights.