Albinos have converged at Masaka Liberation Square on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 to join the rest of the world to celebrate International Albinism awareness Day in Uganda under the theme “Inclusion is strength.”

Olive Namutebi, the Executive Director of Albinism Umbrella said that the celebrations follow government’s recognition of albinism as a disability since 2020, with an aim of boosting rights of the community and the country.

According to Namutebi, the development and ongoing implementation of a national action plan on albinism has given many activists hope.

“It is a big milestone for the albinism community, and this will go a long way,” said Namutebi.

She said that much as the government of Uganda has recognized them, albinos still face challenges of discrimination from other people.

Elizabeth Ayebare, a 14-year-old student, said that her dream is to become a pilot in the future. She therefore asked the community and school administrators to treat albinos equally with other children and not isolate them.

However, Scovia Nsiimenta, a mother to Ayebare, revealed that when she gave birth to her, Ayebare had all the conditions and signs of albinism, but while growing up, she did not have many challenges.

“She started and finished the nursery section well, but when she joined primary and reached P.5, she wanted to join the boarding section, and that is when she started facing serious challenges,” Nsiimenta said.

“The school administration refused to admit her to the boarding section. They claimed they could not handle a child with albinism because they feared that anything could happen to such a child that they could not handle,” she added.

There are an estimated more than 20,000 people living with albinism in Uganda. Persons with albinism often face discrimination and stigma based on beliefs and myths that have put their lives at risk.