As the world marked Nelson Mandela International Day, Ugandans have been urged to emulate the late South African icon by extending service and support to marginalised communities.
Speaking during the national celebrations held at the Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped (KSPH) in Mengo, the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, emphasized that real hope is built through tangible acts of inclusion, education, and service.
“Hope is not an abstract. It takes the shape of children learning to read, communities embracing people of all abilities, and individuals refusing to give up on each other,” Ambassador Popp said.
He called on Ugandans to carry forward Mandela’s legacy of dignity, compassion, and collective responsibility.
“This day reminds us that building a future based on the dignity of all people is a shared endeavor. Everyone here today is honoring Mandela’s legacy by making a difference in their communities.”
Also speaking at the function, South Africa’s Chargé d’Affaires to Uganda, Mr. Sebola Solly, called on Africans and the global community to embrace unity in diversity, regardless of race or physical ability.
“You can be Black or White — we are one people, gifted differently. The spirit of Ubuntu, which Nelson Mandela embodied, calls us to roll back the frontiers of inequality,” Solly said.
“What matters in life is not that you have lived, but the impact you have made while living.”
Mandela Fellowship Alumni campaign hits milestone
The celebration also marked the successful completion of a shs 100 million fundraising campaign by the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) Alumni Network of Uganda, aimed at improving accessibility and resources at KSPH.
Network President Don Patrick Bugingo announced that the campaign had exceeded its initial target, enabling infrastructural upgrades, provision of scholastic materials, and assistive resources for learners at the school.
“We thank our partners and call on them to go even further in supporting values of dignity, service, and inclusivity,” Bugingo said.
Jackson Katende, CEO of Cinat Advertising, noted the role of visibility in transforming the school’s fortunes.
“We highlighted the school’s challenges — from infrastructure to accessibility — and that attracted vital support from our partners.”
The school’s director, Ms. Joy Mwesigwa, welcomed the support but appealed for continued assistance. She revealed that the school’s enrollment dropped significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with many learners unable to return due to financial hardship.
“Before COVID, we had 189 children. After the pandemic, 60 dropped out due to tuition challenges. Many are still at home,” Mwesigwa said.
“Children with special needs deserve an education like any other child. Supporting their education is a way to let them live the lives God intended.”
About Nelson Mandela International Day
Marked annually on July 18, the day commemorates the birth of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first Black president and global symbol of peace and reconciliation. The UN-designated day encourages individuals to take action and inspire change in their communities — a call that was powerfully echoed during the Kampala celebrations.
