Jinja authorities warn parents to support children with disabilities

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Jinja city authorities have cautioned parents and guardians to desist from enrolling their children with disabilities and special needs into school without providing any form of care or support.

Jinja deputy mayor Fazira Kawuma, who is visually impaired, while launching a sh360M dormitory at Walukuba West Primary School for special needs on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, said most parents drop off their children at the beginning of the term at the school and never follow up on their welfare, leaving the burden of feeding, clothing, provision of scholastic materials and medical care entirely on the school.

Kawuma explained that this act of abandonment demoralises the children, which partly contributes to their failure or poor performance.

“This is unacceptable because education is a shared responsibility between schools, parents, and the community. Abandoning children, especially those with special needs, is both irresponsible and a violation of their rights. As teachers play their role, you’re also expected to be part of their daily life development,” Kawuma said.

Jinja deputy Mayor Fazira Kawuma inside one of the dormitories. (Photo by Doreen Musingo)

Kawuma urged the parents to maintain regular contact with schools, contribute to their children’s upkeep, and work closely with teachers to ensure proper care and development.

Hurana Mulopa, the Jinja city educational officer in charge of special needs and inclusiveness, decried the poor mindset of parents and guardians who think special needs children are social misfits in society.

“We have to endlessly advocate and lobby for their rights. With the new development, we call upon parents to enrol the children for education and regardless of the kind of disability, gender, or region, because this is a conducive environment for their learning,” Mulopa said.

He urged parents to always give them support because they have the ability to become useful and more helpful people in society.

This was on August 13, 2025, during the launch of a shillings 360 million dormitory at Walukuba West Primary School for special needs, where officials noted that some parents abandon their responsibility once the children are admitted.

The dormitory construction was funded by John Conroy under the group ‘Subbi Coirde Friends of Hope’ with support from Hospice Jinja and the Jinja city authorities.

Kawuma said the Government embraces Friends of Hope, who are ready to supplement government efforts since it has a limited resources envelope, which makes it difficult to meet the needs of most learners in government-aided schools.

Suzan Nalubanga, the chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), said it was the right time for the special needs to enjoy improved accommodation, which they have having as one of the priorities for safe learning space.

She said the (PWDs) have been facing several challenges, including struggling with limited and overcrowded boarding facilities. She said the dormitory will not only provide safe and comfortable sleeping space but also reduce the daily commuting burden for children with special needs, many of whom travel long distances.

“Our vision has come true, it will not only provide a safe and comfortable space, but it will create a sense of belonging. This facility will also help give learners a stable learning environment and save them from the inconveniences that come with inadequate accommodation. During night learning sessions, learners will get to share experiences and how to overcome challenges,” she said.

She said commended Friends of Hope for their commitment to inclusive education, stressing that improving infrastructure is key to uplifting children with special needs.

John Corney said through ‘Subbi Coirde, Friends of Hope’ said they have management to construct a three roomed dormitory and equipped it with beds under phase 1, renovation of two classroom blocks of primary six and seven, He said under phase II which is beginning soon, they are going to construct a water borne toilet facilities with shower rooms for a clean and better learning environment.

Headteacher Ziyadi Tamuzadde said the three-roomed dormitory block was constructed with funds from John Cornoy, an Irish native and a longtime friend of the school, with support from Jinja city authorities.

Tamuzzadde said the facility, which was equipped with beds expected to house 100 learners, will help attract more learners since they came from far places, while others can’t walk daily to school.

“We have a total of 230 learners with various disabilities. This facility will help them avoid unnecessary commuting to school daily. They now have a safe place to stay,” he said.

However, he decried the challenge of parents abandoning their children at school without provision of any basic support, adding that they only pick them up in holidays.

He urged parents to enroll their disabled children on school because they integrate them into various sports games, which help them develop talent.