education 3 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Boost Investment in Special Needs Education to Empower Learners Like Emmanuel Pande
The inspiring story of visually impaired student Emmanuel Pande, who has authored two books despite immense challenges, underscores the urgent need for greater investment in special needs education in Uganda. More funding is essential to provide facilities, train teachers, and combat societal stigma against children with disabilities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/invest-more-in-education-of-learners-with-special-needs-5412168
Emmanuel Pande, a visually impaired Senior Six graduate from Iganga Secondary School, has achieved remarkable success by authoring two books: Hundred Pieces of Gold, an anthology on themes like wealth and leadership, and Attitude: A Master Key to Success. Despite losing his sight at 18 months due to a quinine overdose for malaria, losing his mother young, and being raised by his grandfather, Pande pursued education with passion.
Introduced to literature by supportive teachers, he developed a love for writing and now serves as a public speaking coach and debate adjudicator, aspiring to become a lawyer. Pande credits his grandfather’s unwavering commitment, wondering why more parents don’t enroll children with disabilities in school.
His story highlights critical gaps in special needs education. In Mbale District, officer-in-charge Joy Wamaluku reports only 33 trained teachers for 69 government-aided primary schools and 16 secondary schools.
Greater investment is vital to build adequate facilities, train and compensate more specialized teachers, and shift societal mindsets that stigmatize and discriminate against children with disabilities. Community sensitization, especially for parents, is key to ensuring these children receive quality education.
The Ministry of Education must assess the sector, while supporting organizations dedicated to special needs learners. Stories like Pande’s can inspire broader change.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)