Fairer Funding for a Fairer World.

Namwanje Gorret is a Ugandan disability justice activist.

Currently studying to become a social worker, she believes in creating change through education, leadership and community activities. She is the founder and leader of Shared Sights Foundation, a youth-led organisation for persons with disabilities. 

Advocacy to tackle discrimination. 

When I was in school, I experienced discrimination. I discovered that teachers lack information about disability, and I wanted to change that. My experience encouraged me to create disability clubs where I empower the school administration, teachers and students with information about disability. I advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, create inclusion in schools and directly support students with disabilities. I also support girls in schools as a mentor to encourage them to stay in school and avoid negative influences. 

But this was just the start. I realised that other communities lack information about disability and inclusion, and this leads to young people with disabilities experiencing discrimination and not being given a chance to speak and participate in community activities. This encouraged me to advocate for disability rights on a bigger scale. I presented on radio talk shows, community gatherings, clubs and events to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and raise awareness, especially about psychosocial disabilities. I am focusing on collaboration and networking and supporting the leadership of other young people with disabilities. 

Psychosocial disability is an area close to my heart. As a mentor and mental health advocate, I have worked to educate young people about psychosocial disability and disability rights. I use platforms like radio, twitter and community meetings to share information on disabilities and encourage others to seek help. 

These experiences encouraged me to set up Shared Sights Foundation in order to advocate for disability rights in communities with support from young people with lived experience of psychosocial disability, community leaders and the local government. 

Overcoming challenges. 

Setting up a youth-led organisation for persons with disabilities has been a deeply rewarding but challenging journey. My primary goal was to create a space where young people with disabilities could lead initiatives, advocate for their rights and build their confidence to challenge societal barriers. 

I relied heavily on my personal resources to get the organisation off the ground. This included using my savings for initial operational costs such as registration fees, venue rentals for meetings, and materials for our awareness campaigns. I also leveraged my skills and time to reduce costs by designing materials myself or using free online tools for promotions. 

Many grant opportunities require extensive documentation or proof of past impact, which can be difficult for a new organization. Additionally, the stigma around youth-led initiatives and disability-focused programs made it harder to convince funders of the importance of our work. The process of applying for grants also demands a lot of time and expertise, which can stretch the limited resources of a small team. 

In addition to these challenges, I have faced several problems when trying to access funding: 

• Prejudice and stereotypes. As young people with disabilities, we face biases regarding our ability to manage funds or lead impactful projects, making it harder to gain donor confidence. 
• Lack of inclusion in decision making. As a youth-led organisation, we are often excluded from key discussions where funding priorities are set, meaning our specific needs and priorities may not be adequately addressed in funding programs. 
• Being overlooked: There is limited focus on youth-led organisations. Some donors may prioritize funding well-established or larger OPDs leaving youth-led initiatives underfunded. 
• Access. We have been struggling to gain visibility and establish networks with donors, government agencies and international organisations that can provide funding. 

Towards Fairer Funding. 

We are seeking funding to strengthen our organisation’s capacity to deliver impactful programs for youths with disabilities. This includes investing in staff training, operational infrastructure, and scalable program models to meet growing demand. With adequate support, we can enhance our reach, improve the quality of our services, and build a sustainable foundation for long-term success. 

My goal is to continue using my voice and skills to fight for disability inclusion, awareness of psychosocial disability, and disability rights. 

Gorret is part of the Fairer Funding for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities campaign, calling for a change to exclusive funding systems. Find out more about the campaign and get involved.