JADF Officers Commit to Championing Inclusion of the Visually Impaired in District Development Plans

In a move hailed as a significant step toward inclusive development, Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) officers from all 30 districts of Rwanda have pledged to become active advocates for the rights and inclusion of visually impaired persons in national and district development programs.

The commitment was made on July 10th, 2025, during an engagement meeting organized by the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) at the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB) in Kicukiro District. The event brought together district-level JADF representatives and RUB leadership to deepen collaboration and raise awareness of the challenges and capabilities of blind and partially sighted individuals.

READ ALSO: Empowering Vision: How Rwanda’s Masaka Resources Center Transforms Lives of the Visually Impaired

Chantal MUTEGARUGORI, JADF Officer for Nyarugenge District, described the meeting as an eye-opener:

“Many of us were not aware of the scope of RUB’s activities. Visiting MRCB helped us witness firsthand how visually impaired individuals are being empowered—learning Braille, acquiring life skills, and engaging in agriculture and trade. We saw that disability does not mean inability.”

Mutegarugori added that JADF officers have collectively agreed to champion the cause of visually impaired persons in their respective districts.

“We have decided to become advocates for RUB. We’ll work with our partners to integrate blind people into district programs. We even set a target—mobilizing resources or partners to support at least five to ten children per district with necessary equipment or opportunities.”

READ ALSO: Rwanda Union of the Blind Urges Greater Digital Accessibility for the Visually Impaired

Eugene MUSHIMIYIMANA, JADF Officer for Kirehe District, echoed similar sentiments, saying the visit to MRCB aligned with the global commitment to “leave no one behind.”

“I was impressed by the practical skills taught here—farming, weaving, soap making, massage therapy. The potential is great, but the center needs more capacity. We’ll work on linking RUB with implementation partners and securing formal collaboration with districts.”

He emphasized that districts must recognize blind residents not just as beneficiaries of charity, but as capable contributors to community development.

“They are not just RUB’s members. They are our citizens. The district has a role to empower them fully.”

READ ALSO: Students from Georgia Institute of Technology Explore Areas of Collaboration with Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind in Rwanda

Jacques MUGISHA, Executive Director of RUB, said the meeting was crucial to bridge gaps in visibility and cooperation.

“Our interventions remain largely unknown in many districts, especially among JADF members. We organized this meeting to foster collaboration, advocate for formal partnerships, and showcase our work at the MRCB—our flagship center that has trained over 1,140 blind and partially sighted persons since 2000, with at least one beneficiary from each district.”

Mugisha highlighted that RUB is currently only able to serve 60 individuals per year at the center due to limited resources. With district-level advocacy and support, he hopes that number can significantly increase.

READ ALSO: Rwanda’s Visually Impaired Call for Urgent Action to Establish Authorized Entity for Accessible Books

As a symbolic gesture of continued engagement, each JADF officer left with five white canes to distribute to blind individuals in need within their districts—a practical tool and a powerful reminder of their new responsibility as champions for inclusion.

The meeting marks a new chapter in RUB’s advocacy journey—one rooted in shared vision, practical commitment, and the belief that a more inclusive Rwanda is possible when all development actors work hand in hand.