The venomous words that inspired Namugwanga

Until October 31, New Vision will devote space to highlight the plight of slum dwellers as well as profiling those offering selfless service to improve conditions in these areas. Today, Andrew Masinde brings you the story of Proscovia Namugwanga, who has given hope to the disabled persons in Bwaise

It was like any other ordinary day. Two women were involved in a bitter exchange of words. This was normal in Bwaise 1 Zone, a sprawling slum in Kawempe Division. 

Other women had gathered around and were cheering the warring parties. This was also not strange. But then one of the women who were quarrelling said something that pierced Proscovia Namugwanga’s heart like a sword. 

“You were cursed and that is why you are lame,” came the venomous words. The other party in the quarrel was physically handicapped. 

Namugwanga, also physically handicapped, was one of the spectators and was left in bewilderment on hearing the words. A number of questions raced through her mind. Was it really true that those who are physically handicapped were cursed? 

Clutching her crutch, she walked away confused. That was in the year 2009. Then the answer came to her late at night.

The community was insensitive to the plight of people with disabilities. That was why they cheered when the other woman was insulted over her physical disability.

“I knew one day they will say the same words to me so I looked for ways I could prove to people that physically handicapped people are also important in society,” Namugwanga recalls. 

Bwaise 1, like other slums in Uganda, is characterised by filth, crowded and unplanned shanty structures, poor sanitation and lack of basic health and education facilities.

According to the 2002 Uganda Population and Housing Census, between 49-64% of Uganda’s estimated 3.2% urban dwellers live in slums. Of the slum dwellers in Uganda, only 13.9% have access to piped water. 

Bwaise slum, six kilometres north of Kampala, is known for flooding, prostitution and high rates of HIV/AIDs. The majority of the youth are illiterate and unemployed. As a result of they engage in unproductive activities like drug abuse, alcoholism, gambling, illicit trade and petty crimes. 

They spend most evenings watching movies in shacks or wander around in gangs smoking marijuana or sniffing fuel. The population is a true personification of poverty in slums. The situation is worse for persons with disabilities especially women. Skipping through heaps of garbage, flooded alleys and open sewers is particularly challenging.

But in this sea of poverty, Namugwanga is offering hope, especially for women with disabilities.

How she started

After the 2009 encounter where a physically handicapped woman was abused, Namugwanga started mobilising all the women with disabilities in the area. 

She knew there was strength in unity. They then formed the Bwaise 1 Disabled and Brain Injuries Association. Its objective was not only to empower its members economically, but also agitate to have issues of disability addressed in all the planning processes and programmes in Kawempe Division. 

“We wanted to see that disabled people were also put into consideration in terms of having a good life,” Namugwanga observes.

With an initial capital of sh60,000 from members, Namugwanga procured palm fronds and other accessories for making mats and baskets. 

“I contacted someone who knew how to make mats and baskets and was willing to train us for free. That is how we started and the women are now experts, something that no one ever believed,” Namugwanga says with satisfaction.

Through the local council board, Namugwanga’s association is now fully registered with the division. She has since received support from a number of organisations including the Uganda National Action on Physical Disability as well as the community division development office.

“When Namugwanga came to us, we did not know what exactly she was doing, but we gave her a go ahead. However, within a short time her efforts have borne fruits and now she has given her handicapped people a new life that they are proud of,” says the area councillor, Aliat Sembuya.

Juliet Namukasa, a beneficiary and now secretary of the group, had this to say: “When I was approached by Namugwanga , I thought it was a joke. I thought there was nothing I could do because I had a problem with my eyes. One of them is blind, but she encouraged me and I joined her group. Today I can make mats, baskets and table cloths. I can now support my family and also pass on the same skills to others.”

Aliat says there is a lot of potential in persons with disabilities because they are intelligent. As a council, she says, they have provided some funds to support the project. 

“Residents now respect us because we have shown them that we can do better than them despite our handicaps,” Namugwanga says.