Visually impaired persons call for inclusion in all schools

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The education ministry has been urged to develop a policy that can enable children to access quality education in all schools irrespective of their abilities or disabilities. 

Uganda National Association of the Blind Braille Programmes Officer Brenda Khasalamwa says many times, persons with visual impairment spend a lot of money on transport since inclusive schools are few and distant.

“If all schools in Uganda are made inclusive, we shall reduce the distances and transport costs. Currently, few schools have embraced the idea of inclusive education, Khasalamwa says.

Besides inclusive education, Khasalamwa says, despite high academic qualifications and skills attained by institutions of learning, many visually impaired persons face significant unemployment challenges.

“We have many members who have applied for jobs and were rejected after employers learned that they have a disability. Because the standards of living are high, educated visually impaired persons need employment opportunities to support their families,” Khasalamwa says.

She was addressing the media about the assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, at the Uganda National Association of the Blind head offices in Kireka on April 30, 2026.

A day earlier, President Yoweri Museveni assented to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

“We appreciate President Museveni so much for assenting to this law. If it is implemented, it will not only strengthen intellectual property rights, but will also advance access to information for persons who are blind, visually impaired, and print disabled,” UNAB executive director Dennis Tumwebaze said.

According to Tumwebaze, for many years, persons with visual impairments in Uganda have faced significant barriers in accessing books and printed materials.

“This law directly addresses this gap by aligning Uganda’s legal framework with the Marrakesh Treaty, an international agreement that promotes access to published works for persons with print disabilities," Tumwebaze said.

The Act, according to Tumwebaze, allows the production of materials in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. Besides that, it also allows cross-border sharing of accessible materials and a balance between copyright protection and access rights.

Tumwebaze said: “Visually impaired learners have been facing a challenge of accessing critical curriculum books, and this has greatly affected their performance. If this law is implemented, visually impaired students who do research and other professionals will have access to learning materials reproduced and published in braille.”

President Museveni assenting to this Act, according to Tumwebaze, represents hope, dignity and opportunity for persons with visual impairment.

According to the 2024 Census Report, in Uganda, 13.2%, close to 6 million Ugandans have some form of disabilities.