Masaka -Uganda
Patricia Namiwanda, a blind female youth in Masaka City, Masaka District, has defied all social expectations and emerged as a powerful advocate for women and disability rights and inclusion.
Despite facing numerous challenges due to her blindness, Namiwanda has become an icon of inspiration for individuals around her community especially those with different disabilities.
Through, advocacy work, personal achievements, and focused determination, she is reshaping perceptions of disability and empowering others to embrace their full potential.
Namiwanda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Makerere University and currently working with the Association of Disabled Persons With HIV/AIDS in Uganda (ADPHA-Uganda) as a Program Officer specialising in Sexual Reproduction, Health, and Youth Development.
She actively advocates for the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, with a focus on counselling for youths, particularly those with disabilities.
What makes her strong and focused in her advocacy, is the fact that she has overcome so many barriers including accessing education, employment, and social opportunities, as well as the support networks and mentors that helped her navigate these challenges.
“My position, abilities and self-esteem, ultimately help the public to reconsider their perceptions of disability. Also, the employers and the leaders should recognise the untapped potential within marginalised communities,” she said.
Aspirations
She wants to become a role model to many PWDs and those without disabilities because she is already an inspiration to her community, district, country and the world at large.
While the public has a negative perception of their children with disabilities, Namiwanda’s success and self-esteem encourage them to help their children in a direction that will benefit them and earn them great success.
Community Members, Colleagues
Jaqueline Nairuba and Abraham Mukundane are pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Makerere University. They describe Namiwanda as an easily approachable individual and a role model who guides anyone seeking career or moral advice.
They further note that she has been instrumental in assisting them with their research and addressing various educational challenges.
ADPHA-Uganda
Richard Musisi, the Executive Director of ADPHA, emphasised that they assessed Namiwanda based on her capabilities rather than focusing on her disability.
In addition, he highlighted her education and additional skills pointing out that she brings valuable expertise to the team.
Musisi explained they have advocated for including several persons with disabilities, including the deaf, in various hotels and organisations. These individuals have proven to be effective in performing their tasks wherever they have been placed.
According to Musisi, they have recommended several PWDs including the deaf to work in different hotels and organisations and perform their tasks effectively wherever they go.
Statistics
At least 160,000 individuals in Uganda, are reported to be blind, according to the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey conducted in 2023. Additionally, moderate to severe visual impairment affects seven percent of Ugandans, amounting to 2.8 million people.
According to the 2023 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment or blindness, with the majority living in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO further identifies refractive errors and cataracts as the primary culprits behind global vision impairment and blindness.
Still, exposure to drugs, toxins, or substances during pregnancy and inherited genetic disorders are key contributors to congenital blindness in newborns.
These factors affect the development of the eyes and related structures, stressing the need for thorough prenatal care to minimise the risk of visual impairments.
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