Stakeholders join initiative to combat stigma against mothers of children with disabilities
Mr Steve William, founder of the KCDC (L) chats with Rotary Club members of Kampala Muyenga Breeze as they look at wheelchairs made of bamboo trees on Saturday in Kabarole District. Photo | ALEX ASHABA.
What you need to know:
- This funding will support a region-wide campaign across the Tooro subregion to raise awareness and challenge harmful misconceptions surrounding disability
The Rotary Club of Kampala Muyenga Breeze, in partnership with the Ithaca Rotary Club New York, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to combat stigma and discrimination against mothers of children with disabilities in Uganda.
At the heart of this initiative is a $5,000 grant (approximately Shs 18 million) awarded to the Kyaninga Child Development Center (KCDC) in Kabarole district. This funding will support a region-wide campaign across the Tooro subregion to raise awareness and challenge harmful misconceptions surrounding disability.
According to Ms Sarah Nsibirwa Nsubuga, President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Muyenga Breeze, "In many Ugandan communities, mothers of children with disabilities are wrongly blamed and labelled as cursed. This has led to domestic violence, abandonment, and the denial of children's right to education."
Ms Nsibirwa emphasised the need to educate families and communities that disability is not a curse, but rather a natural part of life that can affect anyone. "We want to change mindsets and ensure that families learn how to care for their children," she added.
The initiative is particularly significant given the alarming prevalence of disability in Uganda. According to the National Population and Housing Census Report of 2024, 3.4 per cent of the population aged 5 and above lives with a disability, with over 1.28 million individuals affected.
Mr Steve William, founder of KCDC, highlighted the importance of addressing misconceptions and myths surrounding disability. "There is a lot of misinformation in our communities. Some people believe that having a disabled child is caused by witchcraft, divine punishment, or disrespecting in-laws."
The KCDC has already made significant strides in supporting children with disabilities, having provided assistance to over 7,500 children and currently supporting over 1,000 children every month. The centre also manufactures wheelchairs from local bamboo trees at subsidised rates to facilitate mobility for disabled children.
According to the 2024 census report, the Acholi sub-region has the highest number of people living with disabilities, with 93,747 individuals aged 2 years and above, and 85,698 individuals aged 5 years and above. Other regions such as Lango (4.6 per cent), Busoga (4.3 per cent), Bugisu (4.1 per cent), and Teso (3.8 per cent) also report significant disability prevalence.
