The Sign Language for All initiative, a not-for-profit student-led organization, hosted its inaugural silent dinner, raising three million Ugandan shillings to extend free sign language services to rural communities and refugees. Founded by Alex Ogwal, a deaf student at Makerere University, the initiative collaborates with volunteers, including fellow students with hearing impairments, to provide sign language lessons in Kampala.
The silent dinner, themed “Signs of Unity; Celebrating Sign Language and Digital Unity,” took place at Sports View Hotel Kireka and attracted 40 attendees, including notable figures like software engineer Sedrick Otolo, author of “Great Character,” and Rtd. Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu, the president of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), who served as the chief guest.
During the event, the participants launched an app called Reach All APP, designed to offer sign language interpretation services. The initiative aims to create a society free from communication barriers and promote inclusion. The funds raised will be used to provide sign language services to underserved populations, particularly in rural communities and among refugees.
Gen. Mugisha Muntu emphasized the need for government support for deaf communities, noting that there are over 1.2 million deaf people in Uganda. He commended the initiative’s efforts to teach sign language and urged society to embrace inclusion, envisioning a future where no one is left behind.
Key supporters of the initiative, including Sedrick Otolo and Gorreti Byomire, a lecturer and director of MUBS disability resource and learning center, expressed their commitment to supporting the students in reaching more Ugandans across the country.
Alex Ogwal, the project coordinator, expressed gratitude to partners such as Techbuzz Hub, Diverse Empowerment Foundation, Sound of Silence Africa Initiative, Ug. Print, United Persons with Disabilities, and Global All Integrated Development Initiative. He called on more individuals and organizations to join their cause and support their efforts through initiatives like silent dinner fundraisers.
