In honor of Nelson Mandela International Day, the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Network of Uganda has launched a nationwide accessibility campaign aimed at raising UGX 100 million to support the Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped. This initiative is being led by the network’s president, Mr. Bujingo Don Patrick, and supported by a coalition of local and international partners.
The campaign, themed “Building Hope, One Future at a Time,” is a call to action for individuals and institutions to contribute towards improving infrastructure, acquiring a specialized school van for hydrotherapy, and supplying scholastic materials for the school, which has served children with disabilities for over 55 years.
“Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped is more than a school; it’s a sanctuary of hope,” Mr. Bujingo said during a televised interview on NBS TV's Live At9 news bulletin. “Our goal is to enhance accessibility and restore dignity to these incredible young learners.”
The campaign also highlights the inspiring story of Victor Narule, a 2019 Mandela Fellow and alumnus of the school, who now serves on its board. Her journey is a powerful example of what becomes possible when inclusion meets opportunity.
This year’s Mandela Day celebration is especially meaningful as it marks a decade of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the U.S. government’s flagship Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which empowers emerging leaders across the continent.
The initiative has received endorsements from key partners, including the U.S. Mission in Uganda, the South African High Commission, Next Media as the official media partner, Crown Beverages, the Nelson Mandela Foundation (SA), Mandela Group of Companies, Read to Learn, and Reach A Hand Uganda.
