Thousands of individuals from various sectors gathered on Sunday at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) for the Annual CoRSU Walk 2025, aiming to raise awareness about disability inclusion and mobilize funds for essential medical equipment at CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital.
The event, themed "Bring Hope to Children with Disabilities," saw participants from government, private organizations, civil society, and the healthcare sector unite for a common cause: advocating for the inclusion and equal treatment of people with disabilities.
After the walk, Robert Ochai, CEO of CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, expressed his gratitude to those who took part and emphasized the importance of the annual event.
“I want to thank all of you for joining us for the 2025 CoRSU Walk. It’s an important activity we hold every year to raise awareness, particularly about children with disabilities,” Ochai said. He highlighted that the walk is not just about raising awareness, but also about gathering support for critical hospital operations.
“We need resources to continue providing care and support for these children. We have many partners who have supported us both in kind and financially, and we truly appreciate each one,” he added.
This year, CoRSU is aiming to raise UGX 400 million to fund treatment for children with disabilities and to replace outdated hospital equipment.
“We hope this money will help us address our numerous needs, including treatment and purchasing new equipment to replace what we’ve outgrown,” Ochai revealed, encouraging the public to keep supporting the cause.
Noah Kiyimba, representing the Katikkiro of Buganda, commended CoRSU for its ongoing service to people with disabilities, urging both the government and communities to increase their support for this vulnerable group.
“I joined CoRSU in this run to raise awareness. In Uganda, children with disabilities don’t receive enough attention. We, as leaders and citizens, must plan for their inclusion,” Kiyimba stated.
He stressed the need for disability inclusion in public infrastructure and government budgets.
“Many public spaces lack accessible toilets and facilities for people with disabilities. I urge the government to allocate more funds to address this,” Kiyimba appealed. He also called for the government to waive taxes on disability-assistive devices, which are often too costly for many families.
“Walking aids and medical equipment are very expensive. If the government could waive taxes on this equipment, it would greatly benefit our people,” he said.
Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the National Council of Sports, recognized CoRSU's role in supporting injured athletes and community rehabilitation.
“It was an honor to participate in the CoRSU Walk. CoRSU is our partner at the National Council of Sports, assisting athletes who have been injured,” Tashobya said.
He praised the hospital for its affordable services and its wider impact beyond sports.
“They don’t only work with athletes but also with children with disabilities. I am humbled to see the positive impact they have on our community,” he added. Tashobya called for continued collaboration and financial support for CoRSU’s mission. “I encourage everyone in positions of responsibility to support CoRSU, so they can continue their vital work,” he appealed.
The event also included a wheelchair race, further emphasizing the theme of inclusion. Among the participants was Mirabo Asiimwe, a person with a disability, who used the platform to advocate for equal opportunities.
“We should be given the chance to show that we are capable. We are educated and empowered to advocate for ourselves,” Asiimwe said.
She called for an end to discrimination against students with disabilities.
“People with disabilities are often chased away from schools because they’re seen as a burden. Schools need to be sensitized to enroll and support them,” she stressed.
“As the government works to ensure access to public education for people with disabilities, they too can be productive if given the opportunity,” Asiimwe added.