Oyam, Uganda – Two visually impaired individuals from Oyam District are making a heartfelt appeal to the public and organizations for digital support, citing challenges in adapting to the new education curriculum and fulfilling leadership duties without access to modern technology.
Ojok Innocent, a blind orphan in Senior Four at St. Francis School for the Blind in Soroti, has navigated his education with the support of Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) Practitioners and the Chain Foundation. However, he has hit a new obstacle: the demands of the competency-based curriculum.
"Adapting to the new curriculum requires extensive research and digital access," Innocent explained to our reporter. He is now urgently seeking a laptop and a smartphone to cope with academic demands and enhance his learning experience.
Separately, Opito Ronald, who lost his sight in 2016, has risen to serve his community as the Deputy Speaker of Minakulu Sub-County Local Government. Despite his disability, he also cares for his wife, child, and three orphaned siblings.
Opito stated that he urgently needs a smartphone to access council order papers and official documents. "This will ensure I can continue effectively representing persons with disabilities and fulfilling my leadership role," he said.
This appeal comes at a time when digital inclusion for visually impaired persons is increasingly recognized as a necessity in Uganda. The country is home to an estimated 2.8 million visually impaired individuals, and recent initiatives, such as those by the Uganda National Association for the Blind (UNAB) and various partners, have focused on bridging the digital divide through computer labs and assistive technology training.
Farash Ojok Ali, the mobiliser for Citizen Voice and Action Practitioners of Minakulu and Myene Sub-Counties, is calling on well-wishers and organizations to extend financial or material support to these two individuals.
He emphasized that their appeals reflect both the educational and leadership needs of persons with disabilities in the district, and that timely support will empower them to continue contributing positively to society.
