comm-UNITY!

Madam Christine Lule aka Jjajja Wa Ba-deaf, whose impactful words are interpreted by Deborah Tibiwa, joins us in episode 11 as we discuss the challenges that those with hearing impairments face. She has been a key player in advocating and sensitising various families and communities about the disability rights of, and the great potential that should be harnessed within those with hearing impairmen...

What didn't kill her, made Peninahh Mukatushabira, Board Member at Vitiligo Association of Uganda, stronger. Living with vitiligo for 15 years she has experienced stigma from all fronts including the disability community. But has chosen to channel her energy towards advocacy for positive living and sensitisation about her condition. In episode 10 we laugh and chat about her life, her bond with her...

It is clear as we speak to Mama Alice Kisolo, Founder of SIITA, Nest Mother's Love Homes that in her perspective, no one is beyond redemption. Having experienced neglect and discrimination herself as a child dealing with mental illness, she shares with us how she got into the work of caring for neglected and at risk children. Trusting that her calling and faith would sustain the work that she has...

"Nothing about us without us" says Hajira Kaggwa, Councillor and Coordinator at Iganga District Albinism Association. In this episode she shares with us her passion and initiative to ensure that all persons living with disability in Iganga are empowered economically, socially and politically. Breaking down what this looks like for various disability groups.  Her generosity also translates int...

Joel Musana, Founder and Executive director of Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism joins us in episode 7. As he gives us glimpses into his life experiences and the journey to founding FPAD-U, we see the ways in which he has lifted his community members towards independence and advocated for accessibility and respect. We see the privileges that being able-bodied affords one, and the ways in...

The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Awareness Network in Uganda was built out of desire to maintain connection and support amongst mothers whose children were faced with these conditions. Ruth Nalugya, Executive Director and Founder of the network, shares with us in this episode bits of her own journey as a mother of a child living with disability, and how that has impacted the work that the networ...

Mr. Bugembe Dick, BOD Chairperson and founder of MADIPHA, joins us in episode 5 as we explore the intersection of persons living with disability and HIV/AIDS. Mr. Bugembe, with personal experience, started the organization because he saw a gap in support offered to individuals living with disability and HIV/AIDS. He shares with us the journey and growth of the organisation on a mission to provide...

A conversation with Mr. Sejemba Fred, founder of NUDIPU and the radio program 'Ebifu Mubatema', feels very much like a history lesson filled with wisdom, experience, downfalls and triumph. In this episode he shares with us parts of his journey that led him to Kireka Rehabilitation Center, where he developed his artistry and advocated for the rights of disabled people and improved standard of livin...

Christine Kirungi, Disability Activist and Executive Director at Uganda National Association of Cerebral Palsy (UNAC), is our guest on this episode. She too is living with cerebral palsy but that has not stopped her from advocating for community integration, to break stigma against people with disabilities. As well as partaking in community building for the benefit of all.

Your disability is not the end of your world. This echoes through our conversation with Esther Kyozira, Program Officer at Disability Rights Fund. There is a clear intersection between her personal commitment/passion and the formal work that she does, as she herself has experienced what it is like to develop a disability later in life. She shares with us stories and testimonies of the ways in whic...

Veronica Nagadya, a community psychologist, joins us as we recount, reflect on and celebrate the life of the late Ssengooba Med. The two were cousins and had a close working relationship. Often it is assumed that persons living with disability are solely on the receiving end of generosity. But it is clear through Ssengooba Med's life, the life of an educator, advocate and mentor, that this is just...

This season of the podcast is hosted by Catherine Mugabo, with a focus on generosity and persons living with disability.  Follow our weekly episodes, share your thoughts and engage with us here on Anchor or one of CivSource Africa’s various platforms. www.civsourceafrica.com www.facebook.com/CivSourceAfrica/ twitter.com/CivsourceAfrica

We keep it short and sweet as we close off this season of comm-UNITY! with Ugandan musician and community development officer, Catherine Anyango, based in Moroto. As one of the recipients of the Kuonyesha Art Fund she shares her experience of working with youth living with HIV/AIDS to produce a collective music project.

As we draw closer to the end of the season we are joined by Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, a cartoonist and a philosophy lecturer. Over the years he has used his voice and talent to amplify the voices and grievances of others, from a place of generosity. For him, humour has always been a form of communication. We discuss this, his 23-day quarantine ordeal, and his book titled 'Uncomfortable Laughter' that...

Affectionately known as Maama by many in her community, we sit down with Santa Joyce Lakar who is currently the Chairperson at Atiak Sugarcane Plantation Outgrowers Cooperative Society. Her influence however goes beyond this as she has lived a full life of generosity across a broad spectrum of jobs and projects including service as a district councillor and peace building in the Northern region of...

Storytelling can be a big part of community building. In this episode Sarah Nsigaye, Documentary Filmmaker and Journalist, details the way she has used the tool of filmmaking in various rural communities across Uganda to educate, empower and create jobs. Centering indigenous knowledge and giving communities the opportunity to see and tell their own stories has in ways transformed what has often be...

Music therapy has proven to be beneficial for various mental health conditions. Benjamin Spartos Komagum, recording and performing artist, dedicates a lot of his time and talent to hosting music sessions at the Gulu Regional Referral Mental Unit. Having experienced depression, and the power of music and community in overcoming it; he highlights the ways in which artists need community, and communi...

Tereka Kenneth Desire, dancer and choreographer, is the director and vision bearer behind the Unseen Dreams Dance Arts Festival that has been running for the past 6 years. Through generosity the platform seeks to empower and break barriers by promoting inclusivity for marginalized and differently abled people who are usually overlooked. He shares with us his experience and testimonies of the unify...

Visual Arts Practitioner & Consultant, Owekitiibwa Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi, honored by the Kabaka of Buganda in 1992, joins us in episode 4 and trails tales of generosity across generations as he shares his life's journey. It is made evident that the impact of generosity lasts beyond just the initial giver and receiver, and this has greatly influenced the artist and person that Owekitiibwa Nnyanzi...

Heritage activist, Emily Drani joins us in this episode as we dive into the value of generosity, especially in a society that is increasingly individualistic. She trails her experiences of cultural diversity and generosity from her childhood to the season at which she worked as Executive Director of the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda. And through this points out the powerful effect of generos...

Tshaka Mayanja, renowned Ugandan musician who has transformed lives through his gift, describes himself as a mystic man. As he takes us through his musical journey in this episode, it is evident that it has not been a one man journey. It is filled with generosity that he has shown as well as received. He shares with us different stories on platforms he has founded like the Jazz Safari Festival, an...

Sinza, a fictionally animated character who through educational videos teaches children and her wider community about health and nutrition issues, sits at the helm of The Sinza Project. In episode 1 of this season, we are joined by Rita Kayeny, Executive Director at Sinza and Sonia Abiyinza, Managing director at Sinza. They walk us through the organizations origin and mission, highlighting the way...

We travel to Kapchorwa for this season finale, and meet Mr. Joshua Cheptegei, Ugandan long distance runner and current 5000 & 10,000 metres world record holder. Kapchorwa, he tells us, literally means 'home of friends'. Generosity lies in their geography and in their DNA. And he shares anecdotes of ways his community propelled him towards his dream and ways in which he is doing the same for ch...

As we draw closer to the end of the season, we sit down with Pastor Moses Mukisa, founding pastor of Worship Harvest Ministries. Through wise and gentle words he brings to light not just the importance of generosity,  but the importance of a justice driven generosity. One that builds bridges, transforms rather than sustains dependence and builds relationships.  These and other principles...

Ms. Doreen Nawejje, CEO of Women and Children with albinism Uganda, joins us in episode 7 as we delve into her journey with the organisation and the role generosity has played in her immediate and extended community. She is an artist and teacher who describes herself as positively living with albinism, and moved by the example of her own parents, sibling and grandmother, has dedicated her life to...