Social Sciences and Humanities Open (Jan 2023)
Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to explore economic empowerment for youth with disabilities in rural Uganda
- Margo Greenwood,
- Stevens Bechange,
- Paul Emong,
- Eron Lawrence,
- Winnie Kyosaba,
- David Nsajja,
- Isaac Atugonza,
- Ronald Sunday,
- Daphine Pamella,
- Joseph Baguma,
- Esther Abigaba,
- Harriet Ngendanabo,
- Sylvia Kalibeela,
- Monica Kyagondeze,
- Elizabeth Nyamahunge,
- Alex Musika,
- Brian Asiimwe,
- Isaac Kirungi,
- Madrine Kabanyoro,
- Rajab Hassan,
- Deborah Aguti,
- Harriet Adongo,
- Veronica Kandore,
- Fred Kwesiga,
- Simon Peter Otoyo,
- Godfrey Baguma,
- Walter Omirambe,
- Lotus Ayebale,
- Rose Atugonza,
- Selestine Aweko,
- Moses Akahewa,
- Beatrice Businge,
- Akugizibwe Geoffrey,
- Lydia Kobusobozi,
- Hilder Mbabazi,
- Hasifa Makidad,
- Robinah Katusiime,
- Mary Atulinde,
- Godfrey Bagada,
- Moses Kiiza,
- Collins Muganyizi,
- Morine Tumwesige,
- Ejia Baker
Affiliations
- Margo Greenwood
- Sightsavers-Uganda Country Office, 4 Nile Avenue, EADB Building, Kampala, Uganda; Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
- Stevens Bechange
- Sightsavers-Uganda Country Office, 4 Nile Avenue, EADB Building, Kampala, Uganda; Corresponding author.
- Paul Emong
- Department of Community and Disability Studies, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
- Eron Lawrence
- Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
- Winnie Kyosaba
- Department of Psychology, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
- David Nsajja
- Sightsavers-Uganda Country Office, 4 Nile Avenue, EADB Building, Kampala, Uganda
- Isaac Atugonza
- Ronald Sunday
- Daphine Pamella
- Joseph Baguma
- Esther Abigaba
- Harriet Ngendanabo
- Sylvia Kalibeela
- Monica Kyagondeze
- Elizabeth Nyamahunge
- Alex Musika
- Brian Asiimwe
- Isaac Kirungi
- Madrine Kabanyoro
- Rajab Hassan
- Deborah Aguti
- Harriet Adongo
- Veronica Kandore
- Fred Kwesiga
- Simon Peter Otoyo
- Godfrey Baguma
- Walter Omirambe
- Lotus Ayebale
- Rose Atugonza
- Selestine Aweko
- Moses Akahewa
- Beatrice Businge
- Akugizibwe Geoffrey
- Lydia Kobusobozi
- Hilder Mbabazi
- Hasifa Makidad
- Robinah Katusiime
- Mary Atulinde
- Godfrey Bagada
- Moses Kiiza
- Collins Muganyizi
- Morine Tumwesige
- Ejia Baker
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 8,
no. 1
p. 100647
Abstract
This paper presents findings from a community-based participatory study exploring the lived experiences and key livelihood changes post-intervention of a vocational skills training for young people with disabilities in rural Uganda. Twenty-four youth with disabilities (13 female, 11 male) who had previously taken the vocational training were trained to become peer researchers and conducted 72 in-depth interviews with a more recent cohort of youth with disabilities. Findings were gathered into core themes of capacity building, security and interaction. They showed that training in a skill is an important part of the economic empowerment journey for youth with disabilities in rural Uganda. Beyond this, transition from training to work, marketing, proving competence, managing chronic pain whilst working and probable risk are also areas that need guidance and support. Renewed hope for better livelihood prospects was mixed with a degree of uncertainty. Some were unprepared for the complexities around community respect and had also not considered that their financial situation may get worse before it gets better, as part of the risk of self-employment.
