It is often said that a smile can tell a thousand stories. When you meet Christine Kirungi, her smile does exactly that—inviting you in, softening the weight of years of struggle, and revealing the courage of a woman who refused to be defined by circumstance.
Christine is not just another face in the crowd. She is the Chairperson of the Uganda National Cerebral Palsy Association (UNCPA), a graduate of Makerere University, and an outspoken champion for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Yet her journey to these achievements was anything but simple.
At five years old, Christine’s carefree childhood came to a sudden halt when cerebral malaria left her with cerebral palsy. For many children in Uganda, that diagnosis would have meant the end of schooling, the beginning of stigma, and a life on the margins. But Christine’s story is different—because her family chose education as her lifeline.
“My mother fought for me and ensured I continued with school,” Christine recalls. “I went to an ordinary school because it was what my parents could afford.”
That decision changed everything. With determination and the relentless support of her family, Christine navigated classrooms not designed for children like her, overcame whispered doubts, and rose above a system that too often excludes. She went on to graduate from Makerere University with a degree in Social Work and Social Administration—an achievement that not only redefined her own future but also sparked a mission larger than herself
In Uganda, many children with disabilities are sometimes hidden, fearing judgment or cultural beliefs that disability is a curse. In schools, infrastructure is often inaccessible, teachers lack specialised training in inclusive methods, learning materials are scarce and assistive devices are expensive. Many parents are left with no choice but to keep their children at home.
“When we did an assessment in Bukerere Community, we discovered that many families had children with disabilities. But due to poverty and the lack of specialised schools, parents would keep these children at home. Often, they were locked in the houses because parents had no one to watch over them, yet they still had to go to work to earn money for daily needs.
I wanted to create a space where the children could study, and also provide parents with a day-care option—a place where they could safely leave their children, take a break, and go to work,” Christine explains.
And that is how the Uganda National Cerebral Palsy Association (UNCPA) — an umbrella organisation under the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) — was born. With the vision firmly in her heart, Christine began reaching out to partners who shared her dream of building a school dedicated to children with cerebral palsy.
The Birth of St. Charles Lwanga School for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
With support from the Bukerere Catholic Church, Christine secured land in Bukerere, Goma Division in Mukono District. Other well-wishers helped her begin construction of classrooms. But as with many community-led initiatives, resources soon ran out. The structures stood incomplete, and the dream threatened to fade. Then came a turning point: the Rotary Club of Sonde.
Rotary Steps In
RC Sonde took on the project with vigour. The club completed the classroom block, renovated the old structure, and breathed life back into Christine’s vision. The project costed UGX 30m, transforming the infrastructural outlook of the school. The school now provides a safe learning environment for over 100 children with disabilities and their caregivers.
The club established a long-term partnership with UNCPA that has seen the following developments;
- The club in RY 2025/2026 is the process of completing a shade and play area funded with UGX 11 million donated by President Christine Alupo’s friends from the Bank of Uganda. This new space will allow children with Cerebral Palsy to play and interact with peers from St. Charles Lwanga Primary School.
- On an ongoing basis, RC Sonde also donates assorted items annually including food, scholastic materials, and hygiene products to sustain the school’s day-to-day operations.
- Teachers and caregivers retooling sessions by special needs specialist from Kyambogo University.
“At Sonde, our Cerebral Palsy project is more than an initiative, it is a lifeline for children whose dreams often go unseen. In partnership with UNCPA, we are planning another community school where children with disabilities can learn, play, and grow just like any other child. Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and we are committed to making that a reality," says President Christine Alupo.
The project has also touched leaders beyond the local community. During his visit, District Governor Martin Kitakule launched the shade and shared how deeply moved he was, recalling his late niece Kirabo who succumbed to Cerebral Palsy despite years of treatment. Through GK Foods, he donated food items worth UGX 1 million to support the children.
“When you took me to those projects, I knew firsthand what those mothers were going through. To have child who can’t talk, turn and know that so many of these children are locked up in houses we don’t see. That is a major impactful project and I would like to thank RC Sonde. Worse still the lady who started this who is also a victim are stories we need to talk about as stories of Rotary. We gave them food but imagine the joy of the mother seeing Rotarians,” DG Kitakule shared.
For Christine, the transformation is deeply personal. What started as a childhood setback has become her life’s calling. For the community, Rotary has become a lifeline and a beacon of hope.
“We are so grateful to RC Sonde. Since they came here, they have transformed the school. We now have more space and we are able to support more children than ever before,” Sarah-aka Mama Paul, caretaker of one of the children.
Christine’s journey reveals a larger truth: when Rotarians invest in communities they invest in dignity, inclusion, hope and transform lives.