Disability inclusion advocates turn focus to jobs and digital skills

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 400 professionals converged at the Uganda School for the Deaf in Ntinda last week for the inaugural Talent Without Limit Career Fair, an initiative aimed at improving access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The event, organized by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Gen-Kazi Programme, brought together 28 employers and job seekers in what organizers described as a push for more inclusive hiring practices.

The fair was held in collaboration with Light for the World, National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda and the National Council for Disability.

The initiative comes amid growing concern over unemployment among persons with disabilities in Uganda, where advocates say many qualified professionals continue to face barriers in accessing jobs despite increasing conversations around inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Jeff Luboga, Head of Workforce at BrighterMonday Uganda, urged participants to confidently position themselves in the labour market.

“Opportunities favor the brave,” Luboga said, encouraging attendees to showcase their skills and professional experience.

Silvester Kasozi, Country Director at Light for the World, argued that inclusive hiring should be viewed as a business strategy rather than charity.

“Employing people with disabilities isn’t a favor; it’s a competitive advantage,” Kasozi said.

“True inclusion isn’t about being nice; it’s about being smart enough to value talent in every form.”

The fair also spotlighted persistent discrimination within recruitment systems. Naomi Akwee, Disability Inclusion Facilitator at Light for the World, said employers must first address attitudes toward disability if meaningful inclusion is to happen.

“When you change your attitude, you can remove all the barriers,” Akwee said.

Representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission warned that some employers still deny opportunities to qualified candidates after discovering they have disabilities.

“Disability should never be used as an excuse to deny someone a job when they are qualified,” the Commission said.

Beyond recruitment, the event also highlighted the role of technology and digital access in expanding economic opportunities.

Lillian Namukasa, Programme Manager at the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups under the Council for Persons with Disabilities, said ICT hubs established with support from the Uganda Communications Commission are helping persons with disabilities improve digital and innovation skills.

“We have established ICT Hubs for persons with disabilities in the different regions,” Namukasa said. “Take advantage of these and enhance your skills.”