Jacy’s visit followed a successful collaboration with Denis Ouma, head of the training programs at United Persons with Disabilities (UPDS) which led to them winning the Outbound Fellowship as part of the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement (PFP). This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and implemented by the Institute of Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in partnership with Humanities and Inclusion.

Earlier in May 2024, Denis traveled to the United States as a professional fellow and worked closely with Jacy at the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Together, they developed a blueprint for a disability mentorship program for higher education in Uganda. With Jacy’s visit to Uganda, she aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the local context, offer additional technical assistance in developing a mentorship program, and explore potential opportunities for future collaborations with universities in Uganda.

Jacy’s visit was a moment we had only dreamed of, and it arrived on a beautiful November evening—a day we had eagerly awaited.

During her stay in Uganda, Jacy had the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders at Kyambogo University, Makerere University, and key government officials, as well as representatives from organizations such as the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda. The goal was to uncover the challenges and opportunities in advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in Uganda’s higher education institutions.

Dr. Paul Emong is one of the key stakeholders working closely with Jacy to assist Denis in developing a disability mentorship program for Ugandan Universities. Dr. Emong is a person with a disability who defied all odds to achieve higher academic qualifications and a respected position in society. He holds a Ph.D. in Human Rights from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, a Master of Arts in Human Rights from Makerere University, Uganda, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from the Uganda Management Institute, and a Bachelor of Statistics from Makerere University. Dr. Emong also holds an International Postgraduate Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. He leads the Kyambogo University Disability Support Services Centre and has been a lecturer at the institution for nearly 10 years, teaching in the Department of Community and Disability Studies.

Dr. Paul Emong, Denis, and Jacy collaborated to develop a Handbook to guide Disability Mentorship in Higher Education. This handbook sets the standards for mentorship and advancing disability inclusion in higher education in Uganda.

The disability mentorship program has since been launched with a select group of students from Kyambogo University who benefit from personalized mentorship, career guidance, and resource assistance. The program also includes training for mentors, instructors, and disability support specialists to ensure sustainable support for students with disabilities.

“This is my first time to be here in Uganda, and overall in Africa. It’s wonderful to see so many of you, engineers, doctors, teachers, and so many others. I am truly inspired by your passion and drive. I was pleased to hear in yesterday’s meeting, which Dr. Paul invited us to, the rallying cry of the disability rights movement: ‘Nothing about us, without us.’ We really try to make sure that this principle is front and center in all the work we do.” — Jacy Farkas.

The highlight of her visit was a stop at the Ndere Cultural Centre in Kampala, where she got to see an amazing performance of traditional dances. The lively shows, with both men and women dancing, were a colorful celebration of Uganda’s rich culture, filled with passion and emotion that’s been shared through generations. She also enjoyed tasting Uganda’s local cuisine, adding another special experience to her trip.

As she prepared to leave for Entebbe, she sent a message expressing her gratitude: “I send my warmest good wishes to you all. I sincerely thank everyone for the wonderful welcome and am deeply grateful to those who worked hard to make my visit so pleasant and successful. You’re the most gracious host!”— Jacy Farkas.

A complete memoir of Jacy Farkas’ visit to Uganda will be published and posted on this site soon. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at her visit and its impact on our disability advocacy efforts.

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Worldwide, disparities in employment outcomes persist, with marginalized communities often facing disproportionate barriers. In Uganda, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities is almost 30% higher than that among those without disabilities (MGLSD, 2020).

In response to these challenges, the United Persons with Disabilities has partnered with VCURRTC and FSNR to launch the Employment-first policy and practice course. This initiative aims to foster greater inclusive and sustainable employment practices, particularly targeting low- and middle-income countries.

The course will explore the history and evolution of the Employment-First Policy in the United States, examining its development and impact, with the aim of considering its potential for adaptation and adoption in various contexts, such as Uganda.

The Employment-First course will be digitalized through KELMS – Kyambogo University E-Learning Management Systems to be completed from July to the end of December 2024 (6 months), for a total of 18 contact hours. It includes flexible self-guided online learning materials, presentations, live interactive sessions, and an end-of-course assignment. The course targets participants from low- and middle-income countries, including students, government and private sector employers, disability leaders, legal professionals, and anyone interested in disability employment. The course is offered free of charge. Enrollment for cohort 1 participants has been finalized, with a diverse cohort of 157 participants from 13 countries enrolled.

Upon completion, participants will receive certificates of completion. These certificates not only recognize individual achievements but also signify a collective step forward in reshaping the global employment landscape. Read more about the course here.

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