Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate International Deaf Awareness Week from September 22 to 26, 2025, under the theme “No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights.”
The State Minister for Disability Affairs, Hon. Asama Hellen Grace, announced the week-long activities during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre, emphasizing the importance of promoting sign language to ensure equal access to education, health, and other social services for the deaf community.
“This theme highlights the critical role of sign language in ensuring equal participation of deaf persons in all aspects of society,” Hon. Asama said, calling for strengthened support for professional sign language interpreters and early acquisition of sign language among children.
According to the Uganda National Population and Housing Statistics (2024), over 1.9 million Ugandans above the age of two have hearing difficulties, equivalent to 4.7% of the population, an increase from just over one million reported in 2014.
Government Interventions
Over the years, government has introduced policies and programs to promote inclusion for deaf persons. These include:
- Establishing two model secondary schools for the deaf in Mbale and Wakiso.
- Supporting affirmative action that has seen more deaf students join universities and tertiary institutions.
- Enforcing television accessibility through sign language interpretation.
- Training police officers in sign language to enhance service delivery.
- Providing economic empowerment programs such as the National Special Grant and allocations under the Parish Development Model.
The government also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007 and continues to strengthen the legal framework protecting persons with disabilities, including the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020.
Challenges
Despite progress, Hon. Asama noted challenges such as low school retention among deaf learners, unemployment, and inadequate sign language interpretation in critical services like health and the judiciary. She pledged government’s commitment to bridging these gaps in partnership with stakeholders.
Planned Activities
This year’s celebrations will feature a variety of activities aimed at awareness, inclusion, and showcasing the talents of the deaf community. These include:
- Sign language training for service providers.
- A market cleaning initiative in Mbarara City.
- A public lecture and panel discussion on deaf inclusion.
- A football match between Bright Stars Deaf FC and Mbarara University.
- A movie screening of “SPEAK.”
- A community health camp themed “Sign Language for Better Health: Connecting Communities.”
- Radio and TV talk shows on human rights and inclusion.
The national celebrations will be held on September 26th at Independence Park in Mbarara City, with the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, as the Chief Guest.
Hon. Asama concluded by urging the Ministry of Public Service to accelerate the recruitment of sign language interpreters into the public service, particularly in the health sector where positions have already been created.
“Through collective action, we believe that the full and equal participation of deaf persons is possible,” she said.
