Hard of Hearing Uganda

“On an important note, I would like to take time and celebrate our leaders at UFHOH Nalubwama Mastulah and Moses Serwadda for the good work they do in advocating for the rights of hard of hearing fraternity and ensuring our presence is felt. Personally I've been inspired by Moses Serwadda, here is a man who has stood against all odds and remained active in his fight at ensuring our presence is felt and brought the Hard of hearing community together, he has been brave in standing for the rights of hard of hearing fraternity and is not ashamed of who he is this kind of personality inspires confidence in us as Hard of Hearing people. It was Moses who introduced me to the Hard of hearing concept and community after having lived in isolation for so many years. His passion for pushing the UFHOH mandate and Hard of hearing concept is not only adorable but also admirable. When I first came into contact with Moses the guy left a lasting impression on me, the first HH person I came in contact with, he struck me as an HH who is different, the man has a vision that is edging towards its realization step by step. It's not been easy for them along this journey keeping HH together as you can see some people are brought into the Whatsapp group but chose to leave and continue isolated life styles. They're doing this for our own good we should be appreciative of their struggle because they haven't given up on us. UFHOH still stands today because of them. BRAVO(UFHOH E.D Nalubwama Mastulah and P.C Moses Serwadda) .”

“Personally I got to know about UFHOH in 2020 and by that time I was even through with my campus studies. However from my point on experience right from primary one to university I used to make sure that I sit in the very first seat in a classroom. In assemblies too I could struggle to make sure that I'm number one in the line or two or three. This was to enable me properly see the communicators as I do the lip reading. For teachers or lecturers who were used to readout their notes, I could copy from a friend with a good hand writing mostly a girl. It so happened that by primary five teachers knew my problem and could make sure that even if I delay to report, I will still find my seat well reserved for me. I continued to employ this in the working environment too by always sitting in front if there is no Secretary. When I was still young, my grandmother told me that "Being Beautiful or Handsome ends at 18, from there upwards we focus on Character, qualification and what you bring to table (Hard work) and not just a cute face with snap chats filter and an empty Head with expensive hair cut or wig and big bums." First of all I appreciate all the views being shared *UFHOH members*. UFHOH has nurtured us to this stage of 18, now that we are 18, let's learn to bring food on the table which I believe can be achieved through collective advocacy. The Executive Director once made it Clear that the founding members were unemployed youths but because they had *Character* and *qualification*, they were able to push forward the agenda of fighting for the rights of the silent majority who are we the Hard of Hearing persons. They didn't mind about their life Condition of being unemployed *(which are the Beauty or handsomeness with snap chat filters)*.They embraced the fight with who they were at the time. Therefore, dear colleagues, let us not turn down the aspirations started by the founding members, let's keep that light moving. I'm happy as a member that they were able to lit the candle; they removed darkness of silencing our voices and showed us the way, let us all accept the mantle and move forward. Let's not mind about how others might perceive us *(bums, expensive Wig and hair cut)* Slow but Sure with results at least registering 4-5 district Associations each year. It can be done, I can do it, you can do it and together UFHOH will be great. .”

“As a hard of hearing person. I have a disability with distinguished special needs and that presents several challenges. UFHOH through its administrative and organisational members has helped me alot in living confortably with my disability eg I have been able to learn alot about my handicap and how i can minimize its impact in my day to day life. Secondly by engaging me in its organizational activities, it has given me the sense that i can still be usefull despite living a severe handicap. Thirdly, throught its media platform, I have also been able to interact with other hearing impared Persons where we share concerns about our disability, which has helped me immensenly in giving me a social life and an improved well being. .”