CoRSU launches 3rd annual disability walk to raise sh400m for 100 children
"Behind every child waiting for surgery is a family waiting for hope. Every contribution made through this campaign gives a child the chance to walk again, return to school, gain confidence and live a fuller life. With the support of our partners, sponsors and the generosity of Ugandans, we are confident we can transform the lives of at least 100 children," he said.
The beneficiaries from the previous walk at the official launch of the CoRSU Disability Awareness Walk on Thursday at CoRSU Rehabilitation Center in Kisubi. (Courtesy Photo)
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services for People with Disabilities in Uganda (CoRSU Hospital) has launched the third edition of the CoRSU Disability Walk.
The nationwide fundraising and disability awareness campaign aimed at raising sh400m to provide life-changing surgery and rehabilitation services to 100 children living with disabilities.
Speaking at the charity walk launch on Thursday at the hospital premises, CoRSU Hospital Chief Executive Officer Robert Ochai described the campaign as an investment in Uganda's future.
"Behind every child waiting for surgery is a family waiting for hope. Every contribution made through this campaign gives a child the chance to walk again, return to school, gain confidence and live a fuller life. With the support of our partners, sponsors and the generosity of Ugandans, we are confident we can transform the lives of at least 100 children," he said.
The event seeks to mobilise national support for improving access to specialised rehabilitation services while promoting disability inclusion across Uganda.
The sh400m target will finance comprehensive surgical and rehabilitation care for 100 children, with each child requiring an average of sh4m for surgery, therapy, assistive devices and follow-up rehabilitation. Part of the funds will also strengthen rehabilitation infrastructure, enabling CoRSU Hospital to serve even more children requiring specialised care.
Uganda continues to face a growing demand for paediatric orthopaedic and rehabilitation services.
By achieving this year's fundraising target, CoRSU hopes to reduce the backlog of unfunded surgeries by approximately 33%, giving more children the opportunity to walk, learn, play and live independently.
Now in its third year, the CoRSU Disability Walk has grown into one of Uganda's leading disability advocacy initiatives.
During the 2025 edition, the campaign raised sh71m, enabling 17 children to receive orthopaedic and plastic surgeries, 21 patients to access rehabilitation services and 62 patients to benefit from other specialised medical care.
These achievements build on CoRSU Hospital's two-decade legacy of transforming lives.
Since its establishment in 2006, the hospital has performed more than 70,000 life-changing surgeries and provided rehabilitation services to over 100,000 patients, making it one of East Africa's leading centres for specialised orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation.
Every year, the hospital conducts approximately 2,500 surgical procedures and delivers about 12,500 therapy sessions, with children accounting for nearly 60 percent of all surgeries.
Gen Tumukunde called on Ugandans to unite behind children living with disabilities, emphasising that access to healthcare and rehabilitation is a shared national responsibility.
"The strength of a nation is reflected in how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. Every child deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified and productive life regardless of their circumstances. The CoRSU Disability Walk is about restoring hope, creating opportunity and demonstrating that together we can remove the barriers that continue to limit children living with disabilities," he said.
He urged individuals, businesses and institutions to participate in the walk and support the campaign, noting that disability inclusion requires collective action from government, the private sector, development partners and communities.
According to the Uganda National Population and Housing Census, 12.5 percent of Uganda's population lives with some form of disability.
While many childhood disabilities can be prevented or effectively managed through timely specialised healthcare, treatment remains beyond the reach of many families, making initiatives such as the CoRSU Disability Walk a vital lifeline.
Walter Wafula, the Fireworks Group CEO, said the walk is intended to raise awareness.
“Our purpose is to move the world through ideas and inform the worold about this activity. We are seeing the walk grow and create awareness about the children with disabilities,” he said.
The walk is scheduled for October 4, 2026, at MUBS Sports Ground and is expected to attract thousands of participants, including government officials, corporate organisations, development partners, healthcare professionals, schools, families and disability advocates.