Enhancing The Voices Of Women And Other Minority Groups Through Radio Mama

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People with special needs act out marital challenges faced in their families during a rights awareness training organised by UMWA

Supported by The Ford Foundation

Gorretti Naluggya singing her favorite song on women empowerment.

June - December 2013

The Uganda Media Womens Association (UMWA), plot 226 Kisaasi, P.O BOX 7263 Kampala, Tel: 0312113848, 0414595125, 0772469363 or umwa@umwamamafm.co.ug / umwa@infocom.co.ug www.umwa@umwamamafm.co.ug

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Acknowledgments
The leadership and management of Uganda Media Womens Association (UMWA), which operates the rst women focused and managed radio station, Mama FM, in Africa, would like to appreciate individuals and institutions for the successful implementation of this project. First and foremost, the over 250 people with special needs and refugees who participated in one or more of the activities. Without you, the project would have been a still birth. You helped us torch our inner to design better projects and implement them much better! We were able to drop the baggage that negated your progress! The listeners of Mama FM, some of whom continued to challenge us why we had to give special treatment to people with special needs, kept us moving. And happy to say that eventually you came on board and started advocating for more air space for the people with special needs to voice out their concerns! To the partner organizations, you are especially appreciated for your responsiveness to the project. We look forward to continued collaboration. These include: The Uganda Albino Association, National Union of Disabled People in Uganda (NUDIPU), Every Child Ministry, Black Born Artists, United Deaf Womens Organization, Abalema United Effort, and Twekembe, among others. The staff and volunteers of UMWA/ Mama FM! Thank you for being exible. Your readiness to creativity and to mainstream the thematic issues in the UMWA/Mama FM programming, made the whole difference and possibly is responsible for the short time the results were achieved! The work of the coordinating staff cannot be left unmentioned! You were simply great! Last but not least, the sponsors of this project, The Ford Foundation, are highly appreciated not only for the funds, but also the technical advice. Your continued support in sustaining the project gains cannot be overstated! Margaret Sentamu-Masagazi Executive Director UMWA Rashid Mukisa and John Kalibbala arrive at UMMWA/Mama FM to participate in a baseline survey on knowledge levels on rights Mama FM is exible! Anywhere can be a radio studio. And song bird Annette Nayiga, born armless with one short leg which she uses for practically everything, is as comfortable as youd not imagine. She says: anybody who looks at me the rst time gets into a shock, and I forgive them! This is me, but have recorded songs and gone on stage. Im very grateful to Mama FM, who has given me the condence, played my music, and continue to facilitate my transport to coming here at the station, and participate in talk-shows. You cant believe what this means to me, my family and people with disabilities. It is so empowering! I love it!

A cross section of persons with special needs attending a workshop on Human Rights.

John Nasasira arrives at UMMWA/ Mama FM to participate in a baseline survey on knowledge levels on rights

Naluggya Gorretti in the studios of Mama FM: I used the knowledge and skills I acquired from UMWA/Mama FM training to demand for easy access to my church. Management has now constructed an easy walk way for me!

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Voices of the less advantaged can impact the public agenda

The project was six months! June - November 2013. Sought to increase the voices of the poor, women in particular, and those with special needs, refugees and the youth, on the radio (Mama FM). Why? To impact on the public agenda, so that pro-people policies are formulated to improve the lives of the majority population! Three key activities were implemented: A light baseline study to establish rights knowledge levels for both the intended beneciaries and the Mama FM staff/volunteers. Build knowledge and skills for Mama FM staff/volunteers in the rights based approach, and program packaging. Hosted less advantaged communities on Mama FM to voice their concerns and aspirations. The results have been amazing! The challenge is sustainability! Enjoy the highlights. But rst there were special features that worked in favour of the Project UMWAs belief in: Information is Power; And a Rights Approach to Development. Working with and within existing structures e.g.

Mama FM is 12 years old and a developmental radio! that work or are associated with issues of less advantaged people. Flexibility and readiness of the intended beneciaries and the project implementers:

-Collaborating with organizations

-The project beneciaries did not

only participate in the supported project, but also in other likeminded activities implemented by UMWA thus adding knowledge and building the necessary skills. participate in radio programs that were not supported by the project. the radio staff / volunteers. All the staff at UMWA participated in the planning and some of the project activities. This meant, everybody was brought on board at the same time, and change was easy to embrace. Their creativity was also spot on e.g. deciding to mainstream thematic issues in Mama FM programming, instead of focusing on one or two program slots. Radio spot messages, DJ mentions and drama skits, initially not part of the project, but later embraced, were great value. The project took advantage of internationally recognized days: During the 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women (November 24 December 10th. UMWA/Mama FM chose a provocative theme: Activism For No Violence Against Women.... Are people with special needs catered for? Mobilized duty bearers and local communities, most of them physically challenged persons, to a dialogue. Here, Samuel Sekajugo, passes a message through a song he wrote.

-They were also very ready to

-The project did not only target

Barac Films, Norway, from the website learnt that UMWA/Mama FM has special programs to mainstream issues of PWDs, women and other minorities in their general programming. And so, as they were about to launch the Abloom Film Festival (in November 2013) which was organized to bring to the fore, the neglect, and loneliness that PWDs face, UMWA/ Mama FM was commissioned to organize and engage people living with disabilities to participate in the Festival, by submitting samples of their work. Three CDs were collected on that day, also attended by the Hon. Minister Sulaiman Madada, in charge of People With Disabilities. He since then promised to work with UMWA / Mama FM to amplify the plight of people with special needs. Philly Kakooza wants the electoral laws revised before the 2016 elections. He says: The knowledge, skills, and interaction facilitated by UMWA/Mama FM opened my eyes and gave me condence to interrogate the injustices provided for in the electoral laws. Can you imagine the Member of Parliament representing People With Disabilities is unfairly elected? it is a handful of people under the National Union of Disabled People in Uganda (NUDIPU), that participate in these elections. Why? How representative is NUDIPU? Does every person with disability subscribe to NUDIPU? The answer is No! We shall use the acquired knowledge and skills, and the media to ensure the law is revised and become more inclusive. This should happen before the next general elections.

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Ms. Annette Nayiga waiting to enter Mama Fm studios.

Trevor Wanamba: I hate it when people call me names like snake, ghost, scare crow, aliens, or albino. Im grateful that I can express myself on a radio, and hopeful people will stop calling me these names because they are disempowering.

Tendo Nabibubbu Rebecca talks to Mama FMs Patrick: The disability cost me my marriage. After producing two children, my husband chased me from the home, and told me to look for a disabled man for a husband.

In the studios of Mama FM, during a Childrens Program Dorah Mutonyi: Im happy my voice can now be heard all over Uganda.

Role plays were very much part of the project: Here, Physically challenged persons acting out scenarios depicting discrimination, exclusion and sectarianism.

Adrian Magala asks Charles Kabanda, Mama FM Radio Presenter: I want to be a radio presenter. How can I achieve my dream?

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A cross section of people with special needs sharing on Employment and Disability.This was after a training on rights and exclusion.

Through the project, UMWA/Mama FM found new partners. Prossy Nantume (Presenter Mama FM) engages Hassan Mulondo, Chairperson, Uganda Albino Association.

The project brought closer the duty bearers and rights holders. Kimbugwe William in Mama FM studios talking about the challenges people with visual impairment face in public vehicle transport. Right is Mayambala Mustafa, Chairperson of Drivers and Conductors Cooperative Association (DACCA).

Comedian Charles Kabanda, Mama FM cracks a joke with Siperata Namusisi, Samalie Lukabwe, and Hassan Mulondo. He said to them after realizing that the three who have albinism, had sat together. I have come to break this self-exclusion. And I demand a seat here, whether you like it or not.

Namuyomba Lillian from Gayaza , co-presenter Mama Fm Childrens Programme: We are all human beings; it hurts me when I am discriminated based on my skin colour! I want Mama FM to invite able bodied people so we engage in a discussion about our rights.

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Angella Namusoke, Vice Chairperson, Kisota Zone thanks Mama FM for educating and informative programs. It was through Mama FM that I got a free wheel chair for my grandson, Herbert..

Rashid Mukisa, a PWD activist says: My father disowned me when he learnt my mother had given birth to a disabled child. Not easy to live with discrimination. Now Mama FM is our second home!

In the Mama FM studios: (L-R) Rebecca Nakandi, John Kalibbala, and Gorretti Nayiga participating in Mama FMs Lets Dialogue program. Aidah Zawedde, Youth Councillor, NUDIPU: I have noted that several of the over 80 participants in this project are not members of NUDIPU. Have been challenged on how NUDIPU can become more democratic by becoming more listening and inclusive. I have learnt that, for example, not everybody can belong to an organization yet they too have needs. So how can NUDIPU reach out to everybody? The issue of electing an MP representing people with special needs, is key! It was after listening to debates under this project that I appreciate the need to change the laws, so that the constituency can become more inclusive, and bigger than we currently have. I can see that with more interaction, and with UMWA/Mama FM providing a platform for expression, a lot can change in the interest of the majority persons with special needs.

Annie Amongin encourages fellow women with disabilities to join associations so that they do not feel lonely. Anthony Walujjo says he has decided to put behind his long-felt hatred against his dad, whom he said abandoned him soon after he learnt that the baby (Anthony) was an albino. My mother brought me up single handedly amongst lots of difculties and name calling. If Im an albino, or my friend has a physical handicap is it fair to address him with that label? Well for me I have outgrown the everyday exclusion and I have recorded a song to sensitize communities on the importance of equal treatment. Im sure my colleagues who suffer exclusion will nd an empowering message too!

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At work! Physically challenged people and Mama Fm staff reviewing the progress of the project.

Wilex Mukisa, Volunteer Presenter, Mama FM, Youth Programs: The project helped me express my long held dissatisfaction in society. Being disabled is not inability, but it hurts having to cope with everyday discrimination and lack of appreciation of our physical and mental challenges. For example, why would a teacher cane children with disabilities because they reported late to school?

Milly Nandawula arriving at Mama FM to participate in a sexual reproductive health radio programme.

Catherine Apalat, Mama FM Programs Director: The project has been short, but very results based! I was amazed at how the staff and volunteer presenters quickly embraced the issues faced by PWDs, and passionately went ahead to mainstream them in their program slots, even before a radio policy on this, was passed! So amazing!

Joan Nankya, Program Ofcer, UMWA: There are certain things Ive been taking for granted, not even imagine that it could hurt anybody. This project has opened my eyes. I have become more sensitive and already became careful when choosing which word to use. We grew up name calling people living with disabilities. For example, omulema, referring to a person with a handicap in the leg. Its today that I have learnt that it hurts. Most of the passengers in a bus including myself, have always complained about the time wasted to allow a PWD to enter the bus. But not anymore will this happen when Im seated in that bus. I have already experienced it, and gone ahead to bear on the driver or fellow passengers who are impatient with or name call persons with disabilities.

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Sarah Nakityo being interviewed by Margaret Sentamu, Executive Director UMWA, on her experiences. Richard Mukasa, UMWA Caretaker: Before the training, Id not really bother much about the physical state one was. But now I take extra care, and even assist people with special needs to reach the reception area, training centre, or the radio station. Their movement has also been facilitated by management when they provided them with special facilities or passages: a rump and a toilet! Dr. Patricia Litho, UMWA Board Chair: As the leadership, we were greatly challenged by the continued accusation that even UMWA is not disability friendly despite our 30 years work in rights activism. We therefore had to fundraise and provide special facilities for people with special needs. We now have a rump and a disabilities friendly toilet. We dont regret this!

Annette Namuddu records Rebecca Nakimulis voice on her experience of growing up as a child

Jackson Wandoha has become an ardent participant in the Political and Current Affairs program on Mama FM. He has also appeared on talk-shows on various televisions and radio stations. He sits on the Executive Board of the Abalema United Effort. He is one of the people who engaged a heavily armed police while claiming their right over a piece of land in the City centre. Police teargased and batoned the rights activists. Some of them thrown on police pick-ups but they did not relent. Jackson explains: Yes, we are living with disability, but we have rights too. That piece of land belongs to our Association and have the right documentation. We had no guns nor batons to engage the police. But the information and skills we got from the training on rights and advocacy, organized by UMWA/ Mama FM were enough, and we were ready to battle!

Role model, Assertive, Empowered and Nursery school head teacher! Samalie Lukabwe: I usually pretend that I don't understand what my detractors are saying but later tell them off.