Mukono District – Abigail Foundation Uganda has taken a bold step toward improving the lives of children with disabilities in Mukono District by engaging directly with the District Local Government technical team.
A meeting held at the District Community Development Officer’s (DCDO) office at Mukono District headquarters brought together district leaders, civil servants, and civil society representatives to discuss possible partnerships to champion the rights and well-being of children with disabilities.
The meeting was attended by the DCDO, Senior Community Development Officer (SCDO), representatives from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Vice Chairperson of Mukono District, the NGO Forum, and political leaders, among others.
According to Ms. Harriet Nampewo, the Director of Abigail Foundation, the organization operates as a center for children with disabilities, serving communities nationwide Their home in Namuwongo currently cares for more than 165 children, with 20 enrolled in a boarding section while the rest are supported within their communities.
Ms. Nampewo explained that through years of working with these children, the foundation realized that many of them have strong academic potential.
However, most schools lack the facilities and resources to provide specialized education. This gap led Abigail Foundation to birth the idea of establishing an inclusive school where children with and without disabilities can learn together, with specialized attention given to those who need it most.
The school, expected to open next year, will also provide community-based support, empowering parents to help their children with disabilities from home. Currently, the organization operates in only two districts of Wakiso and Mukono but it hopes to expand nationwide with more financial support.
Ms. Minisa Namukose Kirya, the Mukono District Community Development Officer, commended the foundation’s efforts and pledged the district’s support. She promised to help submit Abigail Foundation’s files to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to streamline their operations and enable more effective interventions.
Additionally, the district committed to merging its annual Children with Disabilities event with Abigail Foundation’s initiatives, creating a unified platform to raise awareness and support.
Hon. Kabali Joram Kimera, the Vice Chairperson LCV of Mukono District representing the Hon. Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa appreciated the foundation’s initiative, noting its great potential impact. However, he pointed out that limited funding remains a key challenge, emphasizing that projects like this require significant financial resources, specialized facilities, and technical expertise.
He urged parents to treat children with disabilities with the same love and value as other children, while also advising the foundation to actively seek additional funding sources to sustain and expand the program.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Nampewo expressed gratitude to Mukono District leaders for welcoming the foundation and giving them an opportunity to collaborate. She noted that with stronger partnerships, more children with disabilities in Uganda can access quality education, care, and opportunities to thrive.
The engagement marked the beginning of what stakeholders believe will be a long-term collaboration between Abigail Foundation Uganda and Mukono District Local Government one that could transform lives and inspire greater inclusivity across the country.
