KAMPALA – The aspirant for the 2026 Miss Tourism Uganda crown, Ms. Michelle Kembabazi, has urged both the government and the private sector to prioritize inclusive social services that cater to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Kembabazi made the call on Tuesday during a graduation ceremony held at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, an event celebrated the resilience and achievements of individuals with disabilities who completed life skills training through the Ukarimu Academy.
The ceremony drew notable attendance from major players in the sector, with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) prominently represented, underscoring the industry’s growing commitment to social inclusivity.
Kembabazi, a student at Kabale University who recently made her mark as the 1st Runner-up in the Miss Tourism Uganda pageant for Southwestern Uganda, graced the occasion as a special guest.
Taking to the podium, she spotlighted the systemic marginalization of Persons with Disabilities in Uganda, specifically decrying the chronic shortage of sign language interpreters in health facilities and the glaring inaccessibility of public infrastructure.
“It is time we started planning to build schools, hospitals, markets, offices, and other public facilities with accessibility for all people in mind. Just like all of us, PWDs need these essential services, and their contribution to national development is equally important. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind,” Ms. Kembabazi asserted.
Ms. Kembabazi painted a vivid and sobering picture of the daily hardships confronting Ugandans with hearing or speech impairments when seeking medical care.
She highlighted the all-too-common scenario of a disabled woman arriving alone at a hospital only to find no one capable of facilitating communication with health workers.
“Imagine a woman with a hearing or speech impairment who comes alone for a medical check-up at a hospital, only to find no one available to help her communicate her needs. Many of them end up not receiving the exact services they require,” she remarked.
The Miss Tourism aspirant urged the immediate deployment of sign language interpreters across all critical service points, including hospital wards and government offices, to reduce communication barriers.
Kembabazi extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Ukarimu Academy for its transformative work in empowering PWDs through life skills training.
She urged more individuals and corporate entities to rally behind such initiatives, emphasizing that true national progress hinges on the collective upliftment of all citizens.
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