Five visually impaired learners were among 90 youth who graduated on Monday from the Ggaba Community Project Vocational Training Centre in Makindye Division.
The centre, operated by the Centre for Visually Impaired Children Uganda (CEVIC Uganda), equips vulnerable youth from Ggaba and Lukuli with practical, income-generating skills.
For the visually impaired graduates, the milestone marks a significant step toward independence following months of training in braille, knitting, cookery, and crafts.
Fifteen-year-old Justine Nakidde, who lost her sight as a child, said the programme has transformed her life.
“I never thought I would be able to do something like this,” she said. “Now I know I can earn a living and take care of myself.”
Nakidde now makes sweaters, with some already ordered by nearby schools.
Instructors say the learners are trained using adaptive methods tailored to their needs, including touch- and sound-based techniques.
“They don’t just learn—they master,” one instructor said. “In many cases, they outperform expectations.”
The programme also targets youth from nearby informal settlements, many of whom dropped out of school or lacked employment opportunities.
“I used to sit at home with nothing to do,” said one young mother among the graduates. “Now I can cook and sell food. I can take care of my children.”
Each graduate received a starter toolkit—including knitting machines, cooking equipment, and craft materials—to help them begin earning immediately.
Abel Mukakanya, Commissioner at the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, who presided over the ceremony, praised the initiative for addressing unemployment and promoting inclusion.
“They are equipping young people with skills relevant to employment,” he said. “More importantly, they are giving them tools to use those skills immediately.”
Kizito Bbosa, founder of CEVIC Uganda, said the organisation was established to support visually impaired children who often miss out on education.
“Our focus is on giving people practical skills they can use to earn a living,” he said. “Now they can take control of their future.”
Project Director Teddy Namakula said the initiative was created in response to widespread idleness among youth in underserved communities.
“I saw women and youth sitting idle in the slums—not out of choice, but due to lack of opportunity,” she said. “I thought, we have to do something.”
She added that the training goes beyond technical skills to include basic business knowledge.
“Skills alone are not enough,” Namakula said. “You must also know how to promote your work and attract clients.”
Maria Galan, a coordinator with Babies Uganda, one of the programme’s funders, said the initiative has a ripple effect on families.
“When one person starts a business, it doesn’t just change their life—it changes the lives of their family,” she said.
Parents and community members at the ceremony said the success of the visually impaired learners is helping shift perceptions.
“They are showing that blindness is not inability,” one parent said.
Programme leaders say the next phase will focus on helping graduates access markets and grow sustainable businesses.
