Special Olympics Uganda organized a coach training as part of the Unified with Refugees initiative in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement from 15 – 20 September, equipping teachers, community coaches, volunteers and school representatives from refugee and host communities with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver Unified Sports® activities.
The training brought together 57 coaches from across 15 schools within Kyangwali, highlighting how the Special Olympics Unified Sports approach can be used to engage young people with and without intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities to strengthen inclusion within the settlement. It covered six key areas:
- The Unified Sports delivery approach
- Inclusive coaching practices
- Disability awareness and inclusion
- Athlete-centred coaching
- Unified with Refugees goals and approaches
- Safeguarding and participant protection
“The Unified with Refugees program is much more than sport. It is a powerful tool for building the capacity of teachers, community coaches, volunteers, and leaders from both refugee and host communities. By equipping coaches with the skills and confidence to deliver Unified Sports, we create opportunities for more young people with and without intellectual disabilities to participate, belong, and thrive. The more coaches we train, the greater our ability to reach and engage refugee youths, foster social inclusion, and strengthen community cohesion.”
The week concluded with a vibrant Unified Sports Experience, planned and delivered by the newly trained coaches themselves. The practical session gave participants an opportunity to put their learning into action.
“I am very proud to have been part of this training and the practical Unified Sports activities. More opportunities like this are needed to equip coaches with the skills and tools to identify and engage more young refugees with and without intellectual disabilities in our communities.”
Supported by ESPN and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), the initiative forms part of a coordinated effort led by Genevieve Bamu, National Director of Special Olympics Uganda, and Joe Mutua, Organizational Development Manager for Special Olympics Africa, to develop a sustainable coach development model that can be adapted and replicated across other Unified with Refugees initiatives globally.
The initiative in Uganda also provided an opportunity to engage with Lions and Leo Clubs in Uganda and explore ways to strengthen the long-standing partnership between Lions Clubs International Foundation and Special Olympics at the local level. Discussions focused on opportunities for Lions and Leo volunteers to support upcoming Special Olympics events and Unified with Refugees activities, helping expand community engagement and opportunities for athletes and participants.
The training also received strong support from local authorities and community leaders. During the opening sessions, Acidri Richard, Officer in Charge of Education and Protection from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of expanding inclusive opportunities for both refugee and host communities.
Special Olympics Uganda Chairperson Moses Mwase and Vice Chairperson Gabriella Karungi also participated in the Closing Ceremony.
“The Unified with Refugees program training has empowered coaches in the settlement with valuable skills and a deeper understanding of the Special Olympics movement. We appreciate the facilitators for their commitment and hope to see more inclusive sport initiatives like this that continue to strengthen our communities.”
Creating Opportunities in a Major Refugee-Hosting Community
Uganda is Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country, with 2,041,652 refugees and asylum seekers as per UNHCR. Kyangwali Refugee Settlement is one of the country’s largest refugee-hosting communities, providing refuge primarily to people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and neighbouring countries. With a large youth population, the settlement provides an important setting for sport-based initiatives that promote inclusion.
Since its launch in 2016, Unified with Refugees has positively impacted over 10,000 refugees and people with intellectual disabilities. This initiative has active collaboration in 13 countries across three continents, with the support of UNHCR, Lions Clubs International Foundation, ESPN, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and a host of local and national stakeholders.
