Reach a Hand Uganda with Light For the World and NUDIPU held an end-line event for the Make 12.4% Work initiative.
Having been launched in 2018; four years down the road, Make 12.4% work has recorded several achievements, when it comes to disability inclusion in Uganda but most especially in employing persons with disability.
The “Make 12.4% Work” project is an awareness initiative that has been implemented by Light For the World, NUDIPU, and Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU) and the main reason it was called this name is that 12.4% reflects to the percentage of Uganda’s population with disabilities according to the 2014 Uganda National Population and Housing Census Report.
Its launch was as a way of triggering the private sector and civil society actors to open employment opportunities and programs to persons with disabilities.
In his remarks, Silvester Kasozi the Country Director of Light For The World Uganda noted that the “Make 12.4% Work initiative is not just a project but rather a lifestyle; it’s us waking up every single day to ensure that more persons with disabilities meaningfully work, are engaged & included in all programs.
“Since its inception, there has been a significant impact of the Make 12.4% Work initiative through initiatives like the career fair, Sauti Canvas, and the online job portal. A number of young persons with disabilities have benefited by getting work placement, internships, space in the performing section has availed and many more opportunities., he further noted.
“Disability inclusion in recruitment is mandated; for us, that has been a major accomplishment. In the districts where we work with our peers, at least 5% of our peer educators are young people with disabilities. We want to see a future that’s very inclusive & pushes the agenda for persons with disabilities”.
We have created a robust communications department that has trained young people on communication that is inclusive and understood by everyone. That’s how we have been able to change mindsets and attitudes of different people toward disabilities.- remarked Humphrey Nabimanya, the CEO & Founder RAHU.
Lydia Abenaitwe the Program Officer-Partnerships and Inclusive Employment at Light for the World Uganda added to his voice saying: To anyone who is willing to walk the journey of promoting disability inclusion, we are here to give you all the necessary advice, technical tools, and resources to support you walk this journey with us.
With the project coming to an end, a ceremonial event was held at Golf course Uganda on Thursday 25th August 2022, aimed at celebrating the tremendous success stories within the project while advocating for inclusion in the different sectors like performing arts, education, and health. The end-line event will also on sharing findings from the end-line evaluation as well as other learnings from the initiative and impact obtained.
There was then an awarding gala to recognize the most outstanding contributors to the success of this program; and they were handpicked by Light For The World. The winners in the various categories were;
- Outstanding Member Inclusive Livelihoods – Goal Uganda
- Outstanding Member Inclusive Skills Development – Challenges Uganda
- Outstanding New Member -Stanbic Bank Uganda
- Outstanding Enterpruener- Miriam Opiyo
- Disability Inclusion Champion Multi-Sector Engagement – Robert Ssewagudde
- Disability Inclusion Champion Advocacy and Gender – Connie Adoch
- Outstanding Program Participant – Nadunga Barbara
- Outstanding Disability Inclusion Advocacy – UNAPD
- Outstanding Government Partner – Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Developmemnt
- Outstanding Civil Society Partner – FUEmployers
- Disability Inclusion Champion Private Sector Engagement – The Late Martha Munnu Omer
- Disability Inclusion Champion Performing Arts – Daxx Kartel & Keneth Mugabi
- Innovative Inclusive Skills Development – Outbox
- Endiro Coffee – Sign Language Cafe – Innovative Inclusive Business
