MUKONO- The meeting, held at the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) boardroom, focused on self-acceptance, self-awareness, budget cycle training, life skills development, and access to government livelihood programs.
Speaking during the session, Mr. Ssemwogerere Paul, Administrator of Albinism Uganda, noted that the initiative seeks to equip persons with albinism with the knowledge and confidence to access government programs and become economically independent.
“We want to empower persons with albinism to be self-reliant, financially independent, and strong advocates for themselves so that they can thrive in all aspects of life,” he said.
The Senior Community Development Officer of Mukono District, Ms. Nsanji Immaculate, thanked Albinism Uganda for their continuous support, including providing essential items like Vaseline and regular trainings for the community. She urged participants to organize themselves into groups to access government programs such as UWEP, PDM, National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, and the Youth Livelihood Programme.
“Government support is more accessible to organized groups rather than individuals. Forming associations will enable persons with albinism to benefit fully from available opportunities,” Ms. Nsanji emphasized.
Mr. Lubulwa Daniel, Programs Officer at Albinism Uganda, revealed that the organization secured funding from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) to advocate for persons with albinism and their caregivers under the theme “My Skin, My Health.” He pointed out that self-esteem challenges, limited education, and poor access to social services remain key barriers for this community.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), there are approximately 78,878 persons with albinism in Uganda, yet many still face stigma and economic exclusion. Albinism Uganda, founded in 2015 by Ms. Namutebi Olive and registered in 2018, has so far reached nearly 3,000 persons with albinism across the country.
This workshop marked a significant step toward inclusion and empowerment for persons with albinism in Mukono District. By equipping them with life skills, budget knowledge, and access to government programs, Mukono District and Albinism Uganda are working to break barriers of discrimination, improve livelihoods, and foster self-advocacy. The message is clear: self-acceptance and economic empowerment are the foundation for a brighter future for persons with albinism.
