


Welcome to the IWDP2025 Website of the Uganda National
Association of Deaf People (UNAD)
A welcome message from Robert Nkwangu, Executive Director, UNAD
The International Week of Deaf People 2025: Celebrating Deaf Culture, Ugandan Sign Language, and Human Rights
The International Week of Deaf People 2025, led organized by the Ugandan National Association of the Deaf in collaboration with the Government Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mbarara City Local government and Partners, shines a light on this year’s theme: No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights. Together we celebrate Deaf culture, Ugandan Sign Language, push for recognition, and affirm that true equality starts with accessible communication.
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7 Days, 7 Themes
As part of the International Week of Deaf People, each of the seven days is dedicated to a different theme — from education and public services to culture, leadership, employment, and allies.
This global initiative highlights key areas that shape the lives of deaf communities.
At UNAD, we bring these themes into the Ugandan context, showcasing local experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Explore our seven contributions below to see how each theme resonates here at home.


Learn!
Step into the Sign Language Zone
Inclusion begins with communication.
Learning to sign bridges the gap, empowering the deaf community and encouraging the public to take part, too.
Explore Ugandan Sign Language with interactive tools and the Usign App.

Learning Ugandan Sign Language is now easier than ever with the official USign App by UNAD.
Developed by the Uganda National Association of the Deaf, Usign makes learning Ugandan Sign Language accessible to everyone. Whether you’re Deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing, the app helps you take the first steps towards meaningful communication and inclusion.
Test Your Knowledge of Ugandan Sign Language
A quick, fun quiz for everyone.
Whether you’re brand new or already signing. Try it out, then keep exploring with USign!

Ugandan Sign Language Quiz

Signing Stars
# | Player | Score |
---|---|---|
1 | Jackie Jilly, Uganda, Fortpotal | 10 |
2 | Molly, Uganda, Kampala | 10 |
3 | Kateme Martha, Uganda, Iganga | 10 |
4 | Soniti Francis, Uganda, Bugiri | 10 |
5 | Kateme Martha, Uganda, Iganga | 10 |
6 | Cleo, Uganda, Kampala | 10 |
7 | Micheal Emong, Uganda, Kampala | 10 |
8 | Soniti Francis, Uganda, Bugiri | 10 |
9 | Olivia, Uganda, Masaka | 10 |
10 | City-lla, Uganda, Kampala | 10 |

Our Partners
UNAD’s partners are at the heart of IWDP 2025. Their continued commitment makes it possible to amplify Deaf voices, champion sign language rights, and create lasting impact across Uganda and beyond.














The IWDP 2025
Solidarity Wall
The people who have signed this wall call for equal rights for Deaf people the right to communicate, to learn, to work, to be heard.
- Nam Betty, Lira City, Uganda
- Olubukunola Ebohon, Lagos, Nigeria
- Solomon Ebapu, Kumi, Uganda
- Erina Namboowa Ninah, Kampala, Uganda
- Mugalu Erina Ninah, Kampala, Uganda
- Tusiime Mary Gorettie, Hoima, Uganda
- Okello Ronald Daniel, Lira, Uganda
- Alex Tomkins, Kampala, Uganda
- Okoda Bonny, Lira City, Uganda
- Harunah Damba, Kampala, Uganda
- Buyinza Alvin, Kampala city, Uganda
- Isabirye Andrew, Kampala, Uganda
- Joshua Abioseh Duncan, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- MUTANGIZI AMIMU, MBARARA, Uganda
- Ongwen Raphel, Kampala, Uganda
- Ngabirano Robinson, L, Uganda
- AbdulQuadri Issa, Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
- Jalia Namiiro, Kampala, Uganda
- Daniel Hama, Kampala, Uganda
- OTENG HAMZAH, LIRA CITY, UGANDA
- Ankunda Doreck, Mbarara, Uganda
- Dr Akunguru Philip Denis, Kampala, Uganda
- Namaganda Grace Bukenya, Mpigi, Uganda
- Ooling Aporu Francis, Soroti, Uganda
- Mugabe keneth, Mbarara city, Uganda.
- Nabatanzi halimah, Kampala, Uganda
- Ochede Isaac, Kampala, Uganda
- EUNICE APIO, Lira, Uganda
- APIO EUNICE, Lira, Uganda
- Emmanuel Godfrey Wangwe, Manafwa, Uganda
- Babirye Gloria, Masaka, Uganda
- Kasasa Charles, Kalungu, Uganda
- Leku Thomas, Moyo, Uganda
- WARUGABA PETER, Kampala, UGANDA
- Josiah Sserunjogi, Kampala, Uganda
- Joyce Sserunjogi Nalugya, Kampala, Uganda
- Nangobya Alllen, Kampala, Uganda
- Emor Linda, Kwania, Uganda
- Ruth Najjuuko, Entebbe, Uganda
- Joshua Richard Busingye, Kampala, Uganda
- NAMWOKOYI BASHIR, Kampala, Uganda
- Lene Birk Hobbs, Ashburn, United States
- Omoding Andrew Gerald, Kampala Uganda, Uganda
- EARLIE Group, Kampala Uganda, Uganda
- Priscilla Kisakye Mugume, Kampala, Uganda
- Collette Kongai, Soroti City, Uganda
- Gerald Koraneza, Kampala, Uganda
- ADITE CATHERINE RHODA, SOROTI, UGANDA
- Chebet erina, Kampala, Uganda
- Arionget Marion, Kumi, Uganda
- Amb. Sylvestre Sidie Mohamed Kallon, Kenema, Sierra Leone
- Ssebuliba Herman, Kampala, Uganda
- Byaruhanga Crospus, Kampala, Uganda
- Bonnie Busingye, Kampala, Uganda
- Juuko Alex, Kampala, Uganda
- Faith Vickie, Kampala, Uganda
- Billy Lumadue, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Nakisendo Bint, Kampala, Uganda
- Wabwire Abraham, Mbale City, Uganda
- Gorretti Byomire, Kampala, Uganda
- Ahereza Noah, Kampala, Uganda
- Nyamwiza Hope, Kampala, Uganda
- SNH Ministry, Nakaseke, Uganda
- Kenneth Amadu, Bo, Sierra Leone
- Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Fatmata Jalloh, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma President and Country Director Centre for Social Economic Empowerment and Development in Sierra Leone (C-SEED/SL), Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Lydia Atukunda, Mukono, Uganda
- Atukunda lydia, Kampala, Uganda
- Lalam Sharon, Kampala, Uganda
- Gloria Nambozo, Kampala, Uganda
- Martha PHIONA KAMPI, Washington, USA
- Lawino Caroline, Wakiso, Uganda
- Atwijuka Lilian, Kampala, Uganda
- Emong Micheal, Kampala, Uganda
- Derrick Garrido, Philadelphia, United States of America
- Lydia Nsubuga, Kampala, Uganda
- Smiley Signs and talks, Wakiso, Uganda
- Namara Mable, Ibanda, Uganda
- Maureen Nakazibwe, Kampala, Uganda
- Muyomba William, Kira, Uganda
- MCIPS. Wangwe Emmanuel Godfrey., Manafwa, Uganda.
- Kisakye Ivan, Mukono, Uganda
- Bwire Rwakatwe Edgar, Washington, United States of America
- Tenywa Godfrey, Kampala, Uganda
- Margret Nabunjo, Kampala, Uganda
- Allan Ogwang Nume, kampala, Uganda
- Ogwal Alex, Lira, Uganda
- Moreen Nambalirwa, Kampala, Uganda
- Kafeero Lyazi Vincent, Wakiso, Uganda
- Esther Akantorana, Kampala, Uganda
- Aciro Susan, Gulu, Uganda
- TIMINA WASIKE DOROTHY, Kampala, Uganda
- Nancy Katumba Muwangala, Kampala, Uganda
- Lisa Bianca Lepp, Tilburg, Nederland
- Mrs Ochuli Rose, Mukono city, Uganda
- Kulayigye Felix Mutiini, Kampala, Uganda
- Nakiryowa Brenda B, Kampala, Uganda
- Rutereza Isaac, Mbarara, Uganda
- Nicholas Nsubuga Mitala, Kampala, Uganda
- Twalib Ayub Ali, Arua City, Uganda
- Sávio Gomes, Florianópolis, Brasil
- Débora Campos Wanderley, Florianópolis, Brasil
- Lizzie Kapansa Kamukwamba, Lusaka, Zambia
- Asiku Maxwel, Koboko, Uganda
- Stephen Milton Odeker, Kampala, Uganda
- Nakwanga leah, Jinja, Uganda
- Diana Elizabeth kawona, Kampala, Uganda
- Jane Tukei, Mbarara, Uganda
- Cyprian Anyii, Arua City, Uganda
- Atim Caroline Claire, Kampala, Uganda
- Samuel Munana, Kigali, Rwanda
- Moureen Kekirunga, Wakiso, Uganda
- IYUTE DEBORAH OYUU, Katakwi, Uganda
- Luyinda Hindu Gloria, Soroti, Uganda
- Isaac Muhumuza, Kampala, Uganda
- ESAETE BIBIAN, Soroti city, Uganda
- Doreen Sandra Kauma, Kampala, Uganda
- Imalingat Deo, Kampala, Uganda
- EcoQuest Vacations, Kampala, Uganda
- Anjoga Humphrey, Busia, Busia, Uganda
- Bugoosi Sarah Kibooli, Kampala, Uganda
- Lukenge Ivan, Jinja, Uganda
- Namirembe Aisha, Masaka, Uganda
- Paul Ssebata, Jinja, Uganda
- Musonge Denis, Mbarara city, Uganda
- MUSOKE DERRICK, LUGAZI, UGANDA
- kusiima innocet, wakiso, uganda
- Amaro peace, Lira, Uganda
- Pieter Vergeer, Gouda, The Netherlands
- Ameede Loyce Charity, Kampala, Uganda
- Kiteme Brenda, Mbale, Uganda
- Timothy Okwaput, Serere Uganda, Uganda
- Opio Moses Andrew, Soroti city east, Uganda
- Florah Zanic Fax Flavia, Wakiso, Wakiso
- Kabuura Onan, Mbarara, Uganda
- Okwir Tonny, Fortportal, Uganda
- Anthony Ssekiziyivu, Lwengo-Kyotera, Uganda, Uganda
- Ntaborwa Santa Esther, Bujumbura, Burundi
- Ntaborwa Sabrina Gahimbare, Mubende, Uganda
- SSEKIZIYIVU ANTHONY, Lwengo.Kyotera, Uganda
- Florence Florah, Wakiso, Uganda
- Betty Najjemba, Mbarara, Uganda
- Balyejjusawo Ali, Wakiso, Uganda
- Stella Nanyanzi, Nakaseke, Uganda
- Ashiraf lumu, Kampala, Uganda
- Kisakye Denis, Kampala, Uganda
- Balinya Sulaiman, Kampala, Uganda
- Bwanswa Joseph Amooti, Fortportal, Uganda
- Muwanga Peter, Wakiso, Uganda
- Yakwaya Fred, mbale, Uganda
- Bwire Edgar, Mbarara, Uganda
- Akoli Joseph, Kampala, Uganda
- Nankinga Rebecca Olivia, Kampala, Uganda
- Nassuna edith, Kampala, Uganda
- OMONGIN JERALD, KAMPALA, UGANDA
- Wabigha Nehemiah, Buyende district, Uganda
- Ssengoba Patrick, Wakiso, Uganda
- Emmanuel Ntaborwa, Kampala, Uganda
- Natukunda Agnes Dagan, Kampala, Uganda
- Chanzala Richard, Kampala, Uganda
- Nyangoma Jakline, fortpatal, uganda
- NSUNGWA MOLLY, Kampala, Uganda
- Irene Mugisa, Kampala, Uganda
- Micheal Emong, Kampala, Uganda
- Kateme Martha, Iganga, Uganda
- Soniti Francis, Bugiri, Uganda
- Mayanja Eriab, Kampala, Uganda
- Simon Peter Katwesigye, Kabale, Uganda
- Namugabo Olivia, Masaka, Uganda
- Benjamin Balidawa, Kaliro district, Uganda
- Nabakiibi Deborah, Bugema, Uganda
- Nannette Abrahams, Hamburg, Germany
- Agnes Munalitsi, Kampala, Uganda
- Nyakato Jeniffer, Kampala, UGANDA
- Robert Nkwangu, Kampala, Uganda
- Arno Haegens, Mombasa, Kenya
- Karin Gasser, Vienna, Austria
- Klif Okumu, Nairobi, Kenya
Stand with us. Add your name to the Solidarity Wall and join the call for equal rights for Deaf people — the right to communicate, to learn, to work, to be heard. Every pledge strengthens the movement for #SignLanguageRights.

IWDP 2025 Theme
No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights
The theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights” is a reminder that language is the gateway to every other right. If Deaf people are denied access to sign language, they are denied the ability to learn, to work, to participate in civic life, and to be fully included in their communities. But this is not only about the Deaf community — it is about all of us. Societies that recognize and embrace sign language become more inclusive, more connected, and more human. When homes/families, schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and governments provide space for sign language, they are not offering a privilege; they are upholding a basic right. And when hearing people learn even a few signs, they help dismantle barriers and open doors. Supporting sign language rights means creating a culture where everyone has the freedom to communicate, to belong, and to thrive — a culture where human rights are not conditional, but universal. Take action today: learn your first Ugandan signs, share the message, and stand in solidarity with the Deaf community. Together we can make sign language rights a reality for all.
Take action today: learn your first signs, share the message, and stand in solidarity with the Deaf community. Together we can make sign language rights a reality for all.

How sign language
changed my life
Sign language is more than communication; it is connection, empowerment, and inclusion.
In this section, people from different walks of life share their stories of how sign language transformed their experiences, opened doors, and changed their lives.

News
Daily updates, highlights, and voices from the week.

In the Media
Here’s what others are saying about inclusion and deaf communities around the web.
- LIVE: AMAGARA N'OKUBAGYE, REVIVAL TV MBARARA — CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF THE DEAF PEOPLE – YouTube Live
- Deaf Community Demands Stronger Laws on Sign Language Inclusion – Uganda Catholic Television – YouTube
- UNAD calls for Sign Language Law to safeguard deaf rights – Parrots UG
- Deaf Community Continues To Break Societal Barriers – UBC Television Uganda – YouTube
- Minister Asamo Pledges Stronger Support for Deaf Persons in Uganda – Nile Post
- Uganda to Celebrate Deaf Awareness Week 2025 with National Events in Mbarara – Nile Chronicles
- Govt Urged to Promote Sign Language to Empower Hearing-Impaired Community – Nile Post