Kamuli, Uganda: At least more than 100 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Kamuli District are set to receive artificial limbs from the Suman Venkatesh Foundation as part of activities commemorating the life and legacy of Suman Venkatesh, an Indian national who lived and worked in Uganda for more than 25 years.
The intervention was launched this week as a team from the foundation carried out measurements for beneficiaries, ahead of the fitting of the artificial limbs. More than 100 PWDs from Kamuli and neighbouring Buyende District are expected to benefit.
Leading the exercise, Ms Shraya Yarub, daughter of the late Suman Venkatesh, said the foundation’s mission is to restore dignity and independence to people with disabilities by enabling them to work and live without constant dependence on others.
“Our main focus is to help persons with disabilities get back to life and work without assistance from other people, while also preserving my mother’s legacy of service,” Yarub said.
She explained that although the initiative has been running for six years, it had largely been conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, which posed challenges for beneficiaries from hard-to-reach areas.
“We realised many people struggle to travel to Kampala. That is why we decided to bring these services closer to communities like Kamuli, so that everyone can benefit,” she said.
Yarub added that the foundation plans to extend similar outreach activities to other parts of the country, noting that a recent exercise was held in Lira City.
“This is not only about Kamuli. We have many plans to reach different regions of Uganda because my mother dedicated her life to helping others,” she said.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Wakibi Julius, former Chairperson of PWDs in Kamuli District and now an aspirant for PWD Councillor for Southern Division, Kamuli Municipality, welcomed the initiative.
“People with disabilities are often marginalised. When organisations think about us and bring such opportunities, we feel humbled and appreciated,” Wakibi said.
Suman Venkatesh, whose birthday is commemorated annually on December 15, is remembered for her commitment to community service. Each year, her foundation marks the day by giving back to vulnerable communities across Uganda.
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