Bundibugyo – More than 40 teachers in Bundibugyo District have completed a specialized speech therapy bootcamp organized by local education authorities and supported by Turkish donors, aimed at equipping educators with skills to better support children with communication difficulties and autism.
The week-long training, held at Bundibugyo Primary School, brought together teachers from Bubukwanga Primary School, Nyahuka Modern Primary School, Bundibugyo Secondary School, and Christ the King Nursery and Primary School.
Dr. Sam, a Ugandan speech therapist with a Master’s degree from Turkey, facilitated the sessions. With expertise in child speech therapy, he guided participants through practical strategies for identifying speech delays, managing classroom communication challenges, and supporting children on the autism spectrum.
Speaking at the close of the training, Dr. Sam emphasized that teachers are central to early intervention. “Many children with autism in rural districts are never identified early enough. When teachers are empowered with the right knowledge, they can provide timely support and link families to professional help,” he said.
Teachers described the training as eye-opening. Ms. Grace Kabahuma from Nyahuka Modern Primary said she had gained confidence in recognizing signs of speech delay. “I feel better equipped to respond to pupils with communication difficulties in a supportive way,” she noted.
Mr. Jackson Mugisa of Bundibugyo Secondary School added that the sessions introduced practical methods. “The strategies we learned can be applied immediately in classrooms and will help us work closely with parents,” he said.
According to district education officials, the bootcamp is expected to significantly improve inclusive learning outcomes. They added that more programs of this nature will be rolled out with continued support from international partners.
The initiative highlights growing collaboration between Ugandan local authorities and international donors in addressing special needs education. For Bundibugyo, where professional speech therapy services are limited, the program marks an important step toward ensuring children with autism and other communication difficulties are not left behind in the education system.
