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At 21 years old, Hope Nyamwiza’s hands are full of books and philanthropy work. 

Alongside her studies at Kyambogo University where she is pursuing a bachelor of community-based rehabilitation, Nyamwiza also serves as a freelance sign language interpreter and disability inclusion advocate officer at Gracy Minds Empowerment Initiative Uganda.

Wherever she is or goes; in schools, at events and on social media, Nyamwiza spreads awareness about the different disabilities, mostly hearing impairments. 

This conviction stems from her background, having grown up in a community with deaf people. Notable of them were two carpenters in her neighbourhood. 

“I always empathized with them but after, I developed a keen interest in the way they communicated,” she says. 

The way those carpenters used sign language, captivated Nyamwiza so much that she decided to learn the language to help bridge the communication gap and also dispel myths surrounding disabilities. She was just 16 years old. She attended Masaka SSS, Muni Girls SSS, Kinoni Integrated SSS and Globalize Action Junior School. 

Meanwhile, Nyamwiza joined the Deaf Hearing United ministry in Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in Arua district and while there, she interfaced with deaf people and was touched by their horrifying experiences marred with stigma and rejection. 

“It was disheartening to see families being torn apart after the birth of a deaf child. Such children were branded a curse,” she says.

That pushed Nyamwiza to delve deeper and understand the subject of hearing impairments. She believed in educating herself and others to help dispel myths and instead, create awareness of the deaf community’s capabilities. She also went ahead to learn sign language and later became a passionate advocate for inclusivity and empowerment.

A fruitful journey so far 

Nyamwiza’s work has been recognized by different individuals and organizations. For example; last year, Sounds of Silence Africa Initiative gave her a certificate of appreciation for the exceptional Sign language interpretation services throughout the year 2023. 

She was also appreciated by the Rotaract Club of Kampala for being a guest speaker on shaping a society that embraces the full potential of every individual.

Add to that another certificate of appreciation by Read Us Africa for the exceptional interpretation service provided during their third annual readers’ conference. 

Who inspires her?

Nyamwiza draws inspiration from Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani female education activist and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. 

Nyamwiza admires Malala’s courage, dedication to education, and advocacy for girls' rights. 

On the other hand, she also looks up to Helen Keller for her incredible journey of overcoming adversity as a deaf-blind individual who rose up to become a renowned author, lecturer, and advocate for people with disabilities. 

“Keller’s life provides profound insights into resilience, determination, and the power of advocacy in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity,” she says.

Where she sees herself in 10 years

Nyamwiza envisions herself as a prominent leader and influencer in the field of advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (PWD). 

Her goal is to continue advocating for inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment, striving to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all individuals, regardless of ability.