The grounds of the Uganda School for the Deaf came alive as more than 400 job seekers and 28 employers gathered for the inaugural Talent Without Limit Career Fair, an initiative aimed at advancing inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Organized by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the event was held under the Gen-Kazi Programme in collaboration with Light for the World, NUDIPU and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
The career fair sought to bridge the gap between qualified professionals with disabilities and employers increasingly embracing workplace diversity and inclusion.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over unemployment levels among persons with disabilities in Uganda and across Africa.
Various labour market studies indicate that persons with disabilities are significantly more likely to be unemployed compared to their peers without disabilities, while economists estimate that excluding people with disabilities from the workforce costs African economies billions in lost productivity annually.
By bringing employers and job seekers together in one space, organizers said the fair aimed to address long-standing barriers that often limit access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Speaking during the event, Jeff Luboga encouraged participants to approach opportunities with confidence and determination.
“Opportunities favor the brave,” Luboga said, urging job seekers to confidently present their skills and professional experience to recruiters.
Silvester Kasozi emphasized that inclusive hiring should be viewed as a business advantage rather than charity.
“Employing people with disabilities isn't a favor; it’s a competitive advantage,” Kasozi said. “True inclusion isn't about being nice; it’s about being smart enough to value talent in every form.”
The discussions also focused on the structural and attitudinal barriers that continue to affect access to employment. Naomi Akwee called on employers to rethink how they perceive disability in the workplace.
“When you change your attitude, you can remove all the barriers,” Akwee said, adding that inclusion begins with recognizing capability and potential.
Representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission also raised concern over discrimination during recruitment processes, noting that many qualified candidates continue to miss out on opportunities once employers become aware of their disabilities.
“Disability should never be used as an excuse to deny someone a job when they are qualified,” the Commission stated.
The fair also highlighted the role of technology and digital access in improving economic participation for persons with disabilities. Lillian Namukasa said ICT hubs established through collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission are helping expand digital skills and innovation opportunities across the country.
“We have established ICT Hubs for persons with disabilities in the different regions,” Namukasa said. “Take advantage of these and enhance your skills. Access the internet for innovation, research and development.”
Organizers described the Talent Without Limit Career Fair as a significant milestone for the Gen-Kazi Programme, noting that the initiative demonstrates how inclusive employment can contribute to both social progress and economic growth.
