podcast

Joanita Anena shares her heart behind starting the Adokorach Foundation, whose goal is to make education easily accessible to children and to show these children that they are not their current situation, they are worth more.

Generosity holds space for our dreams and allows us to see them in our reality. See more

Giving has nothing to do with how much you have, Mathias Walwana, Programs Coordinator at Odur Foundation in Mayuge district, reminds us of this in Episode 2.

He demonstrates the ways in which banding together as a community with whatever resources you can gather, can move mountains and make an impact on those in need. The Odur Foundation has been able to run various programs and charity drives with this kind of giving, alongside the accountability and transparency that goes with it. See more

From donating 76 books to one school in 2014 to becoming a registered NGO that has donated 111,000 books to over 20 schools across Uganda, Brownie Ebal (CEO at Kitabu Buk Project) shows us in episode 1 that change and impact can start here with us. At CivSource Africa, we are dedicated to highlighting and propelling African philanthropy and it's exciting to see that the Kitabu Buk Project Team is living this vision! Young givers are instrumental to changing Africa's narrative and growing generosity alongside leadership in various communities. See more

We are halfway through the year and back with another season of comm-UNITY!

With a focus on Uganda's youth who make up a majority of the population, this season, hosted by Peace Kadondi will feature young people who are using time, talent and treasure to solve problems in their communities.

Follow our weekly episodes, share your thoughts and engage with us here on Anchor or one of CivSource Africa’s various platforms. Read more

It is a full circle moment in the final episode of this season, as Sarah Nekese, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Support Association Uganda (ESAU) join us to tell stories of the ways individuals living with epilepsy have stepped up to help their own.

An individual that stands out is Henry Karutokye, who realised he had epilepsy at 15. He joined ESAU in 1999, and has never looked back, going over and beyond to empower and protect those living with epilepsy and disability in general. See more

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 impairments.

As she retells stories of the lives and communities she has impacted, she reminds us of the importance of taking this information back to the grassroots and of prioritising breaking language barriers, as communication and community go hand in hand. See more

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 children, and the work that she does. See more

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 done over the years. And that the training she has passed on will live beyond her. See more

"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 into her stewardship of her role as a leader and representative of women living with albinism. And it is evident that the work she is doing is making a difference in her community. See more

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 which society can better prioritise reasonable accommodation. See more

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 network does now. She educates us on the conditions, highlights the need to deconstruct gendered roles and shares encouraging words of wisdom. See more

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 equal and timely access to information and services. As well as the courage with which he has fought discrimination and showed his peers that they can live positively and independently.

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 living. As well as the circumstances that led him to found NUDIPU (National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda), and to advocate for representation of disabled people in Uganda's government and parliament. See more

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. See more

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 which she has walked with several newly disabled people and their caregivers. Advocating for accessibility, independence and inclusivity. See more

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 not the case. He gave so much of himself to individuals and the work that he did through the Disability Rights Fund, and projects her founded such as the school Valley Side Academy. See more

This season of the podcast is hosted by Catherine Mugabo, with a focus on generosity and persons living with a disability.

Follow our weekly episodes, share your thoughts and engage with us here on Anchor or one of CivSource Africa’s various platforms. See more

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 he published with the support of our Kuonyesha Art Fund. See more

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 serving as a district councillor and peacebuilding in the Northern region of Uganda. See More

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 been seen as a patronising tool of colonialism. And this, Sarah Nsigaye highlights, is the type of generosity she would like to be known for; one that is empowering, one that has a long-lasting effect. More