Lapaire Uganda launches student-led initiative to address shortage of eye care professionals

With fewer than 500 eye care professionals serving nearly 46 million people, access to quality eye health remains a challenge, and this is what Lapaire aims to address through this initiative.

Kampala, Uganda: Lapaire Uganda, a branch of the Pan-African optical company Lapaire Glasses, has launched a youth-focused initiative to inspire Ugandan students to pursue careers in eye care, addressing the country’s severe shortage of specialists.

The company this week hosted an Open Day at its Ntinda branch, inviting secondary school students, teachers, and parents to learn about optometry and explore the wide range of career opportunities in the sector. Attendees experienced eye-testing equipment, diagnostic procedures, and interacted directly with professionals.

John Hilary Balyejusa, Lapaire’s Public Relations and Communications Executive, said the program targets students at a formative stage to encourage long-term interest in eye care.

“Uganda has less than 500 eye specialists for nearly 50 million people. By inspiring students now, we hope to build the next generation of professionals who can serve the country better,” Balyejusa said.

Mark Muoki, Human Resource Manager at Lapaire, added that the initiative also highlights non-medical careers in the industry, including sales, management, and business operations, aiming to create sustainable eye care services.

For many students, the Open Day offered a first encounter with optometry. Tennisha Birungi of Rise and Shine High School said, “I didn’t know anything about eye specialists before today. I’ve learned about different glasses, materials, and how they are made. This initiative helps us consider careers beyond traditional paths like doctors or pilots.”

Eye specialist Jackline Baboneraawo called on the government to support training more professionals, noting that only Makerere University offers optometry programs, and one school in Jinja offers ophthalmology training.

She also encouraged routine eye checks, particularly for people who spend long hours on screens.

Beyond the Open Day, Lapaire runs community initiatives such as school outreach, corporate eye care programs, and campaigns targeting teenage mothers and the elderly. The company plans to join a national road safety campaign linking poor vision to road accidents.

By targeting students early, Lapaire aims to build a pipeline of eye care professionals, ensuring that access to quality vision care becomes a right rather than a privilege.