By KT Reporter
The Deaf community in Uganda has been urged to utilise its talents and skills to create positive change through networking and collaboration. Speaking at the opening of the 12th National Deaf and Hearing Conference at YY Okot Memorial College in Kitgum Municipality, the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, emphasized the power of collective action.
“There are always opportunities, but the deaf community can only benefit from them once they connect and network among themselves,” Popp said, encouraging participants to seize opportunities and use their skills to drive meaningful change.
The five-day conference, organized by Kitgum Diocese in partnership with Immanuel Church of the Deaf and Makerere University, has attracted more than 3,000 guests from Uganda and neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara, Anglican Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, underscored the significance of the gathering in raising awareness and amplifying the voices of the deaf community. “Within Kitgum Diocese, we have well-organised groups of deaf individuals based at St. Janani Luwum Town Parish Church, who are also engaged in village savings and have an interpreter during Sunday services,” Bishop Kitara said.
The conference offers a platform for deaf communities to share experiences, highlight challenges, and showcase successes while fostering connections that can lead to empowerment and inclusion. Over the five days, participants are expected to take part in workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for deaf communities.
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