The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has mentioned that the government should consider putting up 1 deaf school per region.
This, according to him, is one way of encouraging and promoting inclusion in the education sector.
He said; “Imagine someone from the West having to travel to Wakiso or Mbaale for school, it is difficult.”
He mentions that while the government has already made strides by setting up schools for the deaf, a number are still constrained by distance to access this service.
The remarks were made as the Uganda National Association for the Deaf celebrated 50 years since its establishment in 1973.
While at the celebration, Tayebwa was assigned to spearhead fundraising for a Vocational Skills Training center for the deaf to which he made a contribution of 50 million shillings.
“He said I give not because I have too much but I know the pain of not having. How come we have built for others; I will ensure that the coming budget will have provision for the center.”
Twalib Ayub Ali, the Youth representative on the UNAD Board mentioned that communication between the deaf and the rest of society while accessing social services is still a challenge.
“You still go to hospital and no one can sign for the deaf,” Twalib highlighted.
Uganda was the first country in Africa and second in the world to recognize sign language as an official language. This has attracted consistent donor support for UNAD.