Namugongo, Uganda: The Government of Turkey, through its Embassy in Uganda, has donated 40 computers to the Uganda National Association for the Blind (UNAB) to enhance digital learning and skills development for persons with visual impairment.
The donation was handed over by Turkish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mehmet Fatih Ak, during the launch of a new Technology Hub for the Visually Impaired at UNAB headquarters in Namugongo, Kyaliwajjala, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Mehmet Fatih Ak reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development agenda through institutional collaboration and capacity building.
“Uganda can count on Turkey’s continued support through capacity building and institutional development to promote Uganda’s development agenda,” H.E. Mehmet said, commending the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) for coordinating the initiative.
TİKA, which officially began operations in Uganda in 2017 following a bilateral development cooperation agreement, has implemented multiple projects across education, health, agriculture, vocational training, and humanitarian support.
Ambassador Mehmet noted that the partnership with UNAB reflects Turkey’s commitment to inclusive development and digital empowerment of vulnerable groups.
UNAB Praises Turkey for Inclusive Support
Mr. Richard Anguyo, Chairman of UNAB, expressed gratitude to the Turkish government for prioritizing the needs of persons with visual impairment and for their continued cooperation.
“We met Ambassador Mehmet and TİKA Country Director Mr. Murat Çetin during a workshop with the President of the Braille Association of Turkey, who suggested training blind Muslims in Uganda to read the Braille Quran,” Mr. Anguyo recounted.
“After that meeting, TİKA pledged to support UNAB, and the provision of computers became a priority as it simplifies both learning and work for the visually impaired.”
UNAB Launches New Tech Hub
During the handover, Mr. Denis Tumwebaze, Executive Director of UNAB, revealed that the association received 35 desktop computers, 5 laptops, 40 working tables, and 40 chairs, all of which will equip the new technology hub.
He said the facility will serve as a center for digital literacy, vocational training, and inclusive education for the blind and visually impaired community across Uganda.
So far, 30 blind Muslims have been trained in reading the Braille Quran under the UNAB–TİKA partnership. “We thank the Turkish Government for this generous gesture and for recognizing that technology is a gateway to empowerment for persons with disabilities,” Tumwebaze said.
The ceremony was attended by visually impaired students from Makerere University, as well as officials from the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and Kira Municipality.
Stakeholders commended the partnership for bridging the digital divide among learners with disabilities and called for replication of similar initiatives across the country.
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