Empower, don’t assist: Public advised on promoting independence for PWDs

Dr Naboth Coole
What you need to know:
- Growing up in the rural community of Ntungamo, Mr Coole attended primary School and later secondary. His education journey was not a smooth one and had refused to attend school due to ridicule from students and others.
- Mr Coole urges everyone to reflect on how they can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Kampala-based university lecturer, entrepreneur, and charity leader, Dr Naboth Coole, is no stranger to the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda.
Born and raised in Ntungamo, a remote village in southwestern Uganda, the founder of Hope for People with Disabilities has experienced firsthand the physical, social, and economic barriers that come with living with a disability.
Despite these obstacles, he has defied societal expectations and carved a path to success. His message to parents, society, and policymakers is clear: “Don’t just help persons with disabilities; teach them to help themselves.”
Journey
Though born with no deformity, Mr Coole got polio at seven years old, which started with a mild fever and later a coma for three months that left him paralysed on the side where he was lying.
Growing up in the rural community of Ntungamo, Mr Coole attended primary School and later secondary. His education journey was not a smooth one and had refused to attend school due to ridicule from students and others. However, Mzee Ssalongo Barigye (RIP), his mentor convinced him to return upon learning that Mr Coole had been out of school for five years.
“He told me that only with education would I change my life for the better,” he recalls. Nonetheless, due to mobility challenges, Mr Coole frequently had to switch schools, eventually completing his secondary education in Mbarara before moving to Kampala for higher studies at Makerere University.
“My disability made moving around difficult, especially in rural areas with limited infrastructure,” he recalls. “But my parents didn’t cuddle me. They taught me to be independent and that mindset carried me through those challenges.”
Today, Mr Coole balances multiple roles as a university lecturer, business owner, media practitioner, and primary caregiver. His days are meticulously scheduled, starting at 6 a.m. and often ending well into the evening after spending quality time with his children. He attributes his ability to juggle these roles to the self-reliance instilled in him by his parents.
Faith
In 1998, during his Senior Five, he got his first experience of purpose in life after attending a fellowship at school. Ps Allan Bakulu (RIP) preached about how certain circumstances may seem like a curse yet hidden within was a blessing. “That restored his faith and I got born again,” he says.
As such, faith and mentorship have significantly influenced his journey. He became a born-again Christian in 1998, an experience that transformed his outlook on life and gave him the strength to persevere. He also credits his godfather for showing him that disability does not define one’s potential.
“My godfather would show me pictures of successful people and tell me, ‘You can achieve this too if you believe and work hard.’ That encouragement was crucial, especially in a society where people often doubted my abilities.”
His mother, too, played a pivotal role in countering societal stigma. “People in my village told me I would never amount to anything, that I would never work in an office or get married. But my mother always told me, ‘You will be a successful husband, parent, and leader.’ Her belief in me kept me going.”
Challenge
Despite progressive legislation like the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020, many PWDs in Uganda still face significant barriers. Approximately 85 percent of them live below the poverty line, often due to limited access to education and employment opportunities.
“Good laws are in place, but they are not enough,” he emphasises.
“We need proper implementation to make a real difference. Infrastructure, education, and job opportunities must be accessible to all.”
Teach, don’t just help
One of the most important lessons he shares is the importance of teaching PWDs to be self-reliant. He warns against the well-meaning but detrimental tendency of parents to over-help their children with disabilities.
“Many parents think they are protecting their children by doing everything for them—feeding, dressing, even brushing their teeth. But this only makes the child dependent,” he explains. “My parents were different. They taught me to do things on my own, and that made all the difference.”
This philosophy of empowerment has enabled him to achieve what many thought was impossible. “I have ridden bicycles and motorcycles, worked as a taxi driver and bus conductor, and now I thrive in the corporate world. None of this would have been possible if I had been taught to rely on others.”
Call to action
Mr Coole has a powerful message for parents of children with disabilities: “Prepare your children for independence. Teach them life skills, encourage them to dream big, and support their ambitions. You won’t always be there to help them, so they must learn to navigate the world on their own.”
He also calls on society to change the narrative around disability. “Stop seeing PWDs as burdens. Recognize their potential and support their growth. We need to create a society where everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, has the chance to thrive.”
As the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
Mr Coole urges everyone to reflect on how they can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
“Empowerment, not charity, is the key to transforming the lives of PWDs. Let us teach them to be independent, and they will show us what they are truly capable of.”
With his life as a testament to the power of self-reliance, Mr Coole continues to inspire others to see beyond limitations and focus on abilities. His story is a reminder that with the right mindset and support, persons with disabilities can achieve greatness and contribute meaningfully to society.