By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Lord Mayor for Kampala Capital City, Eng. Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo, has urged management of Makerere University to scale-up admissions for students with disabilities and establish inclusive infrastructures to make education accessible to students with disabilities.
Mayor Balimwezo argues that for students with disabilities to enjoy a conducive learning environment, the University must fully implement the Legal and policy framework that protects rights of people with disabilities.
He made the remarks on November 5, 2026, at Makerere University while the University was marking the Day for students and staff with disabilities organized under the theme: “From Legislation To Action, Strengthening Disability inclusion Through Effective policy implementation in Higher Education.
Speaking to Makerere University staff and students with disabilities, Balimwezo, who said became disabled after he was involved in a motorbike accident in early 2000, said everyone is a candidate to disability, challenging management of the University to double admissions for students with disabilities from 70 students to a reasonable number. He also tasked the University to ensure all University premises are accessible to students with disabilities.
Lord Mayor Balimwezo also noted that KCCA has embarked on inclusive infrastructure developments including pavement of walkways and public transport which are inclusive.
Hon. Dan Kidega, the former Speaker for East African Legislative Assembly who testified that he became disabled following his involvement in an accident along the Northern Bypass 5 years ago, tasked management of the University to demonstrate leadership to translate policies into meaningful institutional policy interventions.
The woman Legislator for people with disabilities, Hon. Laura Kanushu, urged management of Makerere University to install bathrooms and flush toilets in University hostels for students with disabilities.
The Dean of students, Makerere University, Dr. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli, said in order to ease learning for students with disabilities, the University has employed sign language interpreters for students with disabilities on top of providing them with a disability mobile van.
The Vice Chancellor in charge of academic affairs at Makerere University, Prof. Sarah Ssali, revealed that every college at the University recognizes disability inclusion, and pledged to continue investing in inclusive research and infrastructures.
On the other hand, Prof. Zahara Nampewo, the Deputy Dean Faculty of Law at Makerere University, said the University has taken a step to ensure inclusivity, revealing that the University has 147 students with disabilities out of 27,000 students in the University.
