The morning sun cast a bright glow over the Makerere University Business School sports grounds in Nakawa Division, Kampala, as hundreds of citizens gathered for a common cause.
The occasion was the climax of the Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital Disability Walk 2026, an event that drew together government officials, medical workers, development partners, and families.
Beneath the fanfare of the walk lay a profound mission of healing, dignity, and empowerment for some of the most vulnerable members of Ugandan society.
For years, the facility located along Entebbe Road has remained a beacon of medical excellence and humanitarian service for children grappling with physical challenges.
During the grand finale of the event on Sunday, October 4, 2026, heartwarming revelations about the hospital’s impact were laid bare before the public.
The revelations were made by the hospital’s board president, Eng. Victor Odongo, who was represented by Joseph Mutasaaga.
Addressing the attentive crowd, Mutasaaga disclosed that the institution had successfully conducted more than 7,000 free complex surgical operations for children with disabilities, giving beneficiaries hope and a new lease on life.
The reach of the hospital extends far beyond the operating theatre, touching tens of thousands of lives through comprehensive care.
Mutasaaga revealed that the facility also provided more than 100,000 rehabilitation-related services by the end of 2025.
These vital interventions included artificial limbs, mental health education, child health sensitisation campaigns, physiotherapy, assistive technology devices, counselling and medication, among others.
Delving deeper into the statistics, Mutasaaga pointed out that 80 percent of the more than 7,000 surgical cases involved children, whom he described as among the most vulnerable members of society and potential future leaders.
Access to this specialized care is anchored on a deliberate institutional framework designed to cushion struggling families from crushing medical bills.
He said that the hospital’s policy provides free surgery for children aged between zero and five years, while those aged five to 18 receive a 50 percent subsidy.
Despite these monumental achievements, the institution faces operational hurdles that require urgent interventions from well-wishers and the state.
Mutasaaga appealed to donors and well-wishers to support Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital with MRI and CT scan equipment to enable the facility to conduct complex and critical examinations before performing surgical operations on vulnerable children.
He also called on the government to provide funding support to the hospital, saying this would enable it to conduct more surgeries for children with disabilities.
Government response and strategic partnerships
The plea for state intervention did not fall on deaf ears, as key government officials outlined robust plans to scale up support for children with special needs.
The Commissioner for Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Prosper Muhumuza, announced that the government plans to provide free surgical operations to 30,000 children facing various disability-related medical challenges.
The ambitious rollout is anchored on a multi-sectoral approach aimed at maximizing coverage and impact across the country.
Muhumuza said that the Ministries of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Health, and Finance, in partnership with Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital, would identify 30,000 children with different forms of disabilities to benefit from the special child disability grant programme.
The phased implementation strategy promises immediate relief for hundreds of families in dire need of medical intervention.
He said that among the children identified as potential beneficiaries, 250 would initially receive free surgery services, starting with 25 selected districts, while others would access services such as wheelchairs, assistive devices, specialised counselling and treatment.
Furthermore, the scope of the grant extends to the improvement of health infrastructure and human resource development.
Muhumuza added that part of the grant would cater for renovation of the medical facility, capacity-building for medical personnel and other strategic logistical requirements.
Easing the financial burden of assistive devices
Beyond surgeries and institutional upgrades, the government is moving to address the prohibitive costs associated with disability appliances and medical raw materials.
The Assistant Commissioner for Disability and Rehabilitation in the Ministry of Health, Dr Moses Muwanga, revealed critical policy shifts aimed at slashing taxes on essential goods.
Dr Muwanga said the government had finalised a strategic framework to guide taxation policies concerning assistive technology devices, related appliances, raw materials for manufacturing medicines and drugs, and equipment used by people with disabilities.
The execution of this framework has already been handed over to the relevant regulatory authority for immediate action.
He said the National Drug Authority (NDA) had been directed to prepare a comprehensive list of the relevant items to facilitate efforts to have them approved as tax-free commodities.
To ensure the policy reflects ground realities, Dr Muwanga issued a specific operational directive to the premier rehabilitation facility.
Dr Muwanga urged Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital to work with the NDA to develop the necessary technical documents to support the disability community by reducing taxes on items used by people with disabilities, which he said were often too expensive for many low-income families.
A passionate call from leadership and communities
The emotional resonance of the day was further heightened by leaders who share personal and professional insights into the plight of persons with disabilities.
The Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City Authority, Eng. Ronald Balimwezo, who was the chief walker at the event and is also a person with a disability, urged parents not to frustrate children born with disabilities by denying them access to specialised medical care.
Drawing from his own lived experiences, Balimwezo did not mince words regarding societal prejudices that continue to harm vulnerable children.
Balimwezo expressed concern that some parents hide or neglect children with disabilities, denying them the opportunity to receive medical attention and develop into productive members of society.
He urged stakeholders to support Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital’s programme of providing surgical services to children with disabilities, saying everyone is potentially vulnerable to disability.
Demonstrating institutional commitment, the Lord Mayor made firm policy pledges on behalf of the capital city’s governing body.
Balimwezo pledged that KCCA would work with its council to ensure that the needs of children with disabilities are included in its budget, including essential medical services and technical support, as well as identifying children who need specialised care and referring them to Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital.
He congratulated the hospital for organising the disability walk and called on stakeholders to make donations towards the programme.
Operational milestones and community mobilisation
Detailing the hospital’s recent outreach efforts, Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital Chief Executive Officer Robert Otai shared insights into their ongoing grassroots interventions.
Otai said the facility recently held a free surgical camp as part of activities to mark its achievements. He said 148 patients attended the camp, with 18 undergoing surgery while others received different medical services.
He also emphasized the critical role families play in ensuring that children receive timely medical attention before conditions deteriorate.
Otai appealed to parents and communities to identify and document cases involving children with disabilities and ensure they are taken to government hospitals and other appropriate health facilities for support instead of abandoning them.
Acknowledging the immense goodwill keeping the institution afloat, Otai expressed gratitude to the various entities standing with the hospital.
He thanked local and international development partners for their continued support to the hospital and called on more organisations and individuals to support its work.
The success of the disability walk itself stood as a testament to the power of collective responsibility and institutional partnerships.
The disability walk was supported by partners including the Ministries of Health and Gender, Labour and Social Development, DTB Bank, Centenary Bank, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), National Drug Authority, KCCA, Smile Trends and MUBS, among others.
For the parents who braved the weather to participate, the day was validation of their struggles and a renewed source of inspiration.
Parents who attended the event appreciated Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital for supporting families dealing with complex medical conditions affecting their children. They encouraged other parents not to abandon children with disabilities but instead provide them with love, support and respect as they navigate their future.
