LUCAS MUSISI
Kampala: Uganda grapples with startling statistics regarding disability prevalence, particularly among children, where the rate stands at 16 percent. The educational landscape reflects stark challenges, as evidenced by the meager enrollment figures for children with disabilities. In 2023, only 1.97 percent of primary school enrollment comprised children with disabilities, according to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) report.
Moreover, the dearth of specialized educators exacerbates the situation. Dr. M. Munira Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to Uganda, highlights a significant scarcity: just two qualified braille mathematics lecturers, exclusively located at Kyambogo University. This scarcity underscores the profound educational gaps faced by visually impaired students.
Further compounding the issue is the limited infrastructure dedicated to accommodating the needs of visually impaired students. Across Uganda, there are only 24 schools catering to the blind, both privately and government-operated, along with a mere 11 secondary schools specifically designed for visually impaired students. Adding to the challenge, each of these schools employs only one primary and secondary teacher proficient in teaching braille mathematics.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the educational inequities faced by children with disabilities in Uganda. Such efforts must encompass not only increased resource allocation but also targeted initiatives to train more educators and enhance infrastructure to create a more inclusive educational environment.
“Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have faced countless barriers in accessing information and services, often leading to marginalization and social exclusion,” remarked Dr. M. Munira Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to Uganda.
However, on April 4, UNICEF and the Ministry of Finance seized an opportunity to address these pervasive challenges. They launched braille and audio/visual versions of the citizen’s guide to the budget for FY 2023/2024, signaling a bold commitment to breaking down barriers against people with disabilities and nurturing a truly inclusive society.
During his address at the launch event held at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Dr. M. Munira Safieldin expressed appreciation, stating, “I applaud the Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every citizen has equal access to vital information, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, through the development of their very first audio/visual version of the citizen’s guide to the Budget for FY 2023/2024 and the consistent publishing of the Braille version since FY 2022/2023.”
He emphasized that this initiative underscores the government’s dedication to facilitating citizen understanding and engagement with the national budgeting process. By making information accessible through alternative formats, such as audio/visual and Braille versions, the government aims to empower citizens to comprehend and participate in budget-related matters at both national and local levels, aligning with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
Dr. Safieldin stressed the importance of continuous efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the government. He urged for the provision of clear and accessible information regarding the collection and allocation of national resources. Such transparency, he argued, is vital for fostering trust between the government and its citizens and ensuring effective governance.
Dr. M. Munira Safieldin emphasized the transformative power of information in citizen empowerment, stating, “When citizens are equipped with correct and relevant information, they are empowered to ask critical questions, which will help to facilitate and strengthen the processes of allocation of national resources at all levels, across all sectors.”
The collaborative effort behind the production of Braille and audio/visual formats of the Citizen’s Guide to the National Budget for FY2023-2024 reflects a commitment to inclusivity. Dr. Safieldin remarked, “I am glad to share that this is the first initiative supported by UNICEF in 21 countries in the East and Southern Africa Region, placing Uganda as the lead in support for access to information by the visually and hearing-impaired members of our society.”
He emphasized that providing accessible formats of information is not merely an act of dissemination but a powerful tool for empowerment. “As UNICEF, we believe that this is not merely an act of providing information; but a strong act of empowerment, enabling these individuals to participate actively in shaping their own future and that of their communities,” he affirmed.
Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have faced numerous obstacles in accessing information and services, resulting in marginalization and social exclusion. The absence of accessible formats has compounded these challenges, particularly in fostering civic engagement. However, current initiatives are making strides in dismantling these barriers and promoting a truly inclusive society.
Dr. M. Munira Safieldin stressed the importance of further action and the potential for change, asserting, “We hope that views collected from citizens can be responded to and included in subsequent budget processes. This will greatly improve Uganda’s Open Budget Survey Score, which has recently flattened below the required threshold of 61, and help in articulating the ‘Leave no One’ principle of SDGs in Uganda’s SDG Voluntary National Review that is to be presented at the High-Level Political Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in July this year.”
He underscored the necessity of key actions to address the challenges faced by visually and hearing-impaired members of society. Particularly concerning are the difficulties faced by children, who struggle to access essential social services like health and education, despite their unwavering determination.
Uganda grapples with a high disability prevalence rate of 16 percent among children, yet primary school enrollment for children with disabilities remains strikingly low, at only 1.97 percent in 2023 (OAG report, 2023). Urgent interventions are required to ensure adequate staffing and appropriate skills within schools to facilitate the attendance and learning of these children. Dr. Safieldin emphasized the need for more inclusive classrooms that accommodate the diverse needs of children with disabilities, citing instances where learners with different needs, such as autism and deafness, are mixed, posing challenges to their education.
Highlighting the scarcity of specialized educators, Dr. Safieldin pointed out that Uganda has only two qualified braille mathematics university lecturers, located solely at Kyambogo University. Furthermore, the limited number of schools for the blind—24 in total, both private and government-operated—along with only 11 secondary schools catering to visually impaired students, presents significant barriers to the pursuit of careers in STEM sectors for capable children.
He urged stakeholders to recognize the potential and possibilities inherent in every child with a disability. Dr. Safieldin emphasized that true strength lies not in physical abilities, but in the depths of the heart and the power of the mind. It is incumbent upon society as a whole to provide the necessary support, resources, and love to enable every child with a disability to thrive, thereby fostering an inclusive, accessible, and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
