Ugandan disability rights advocate to deliver MUSC presentation on September 8

The MUSC Center for Global Health, in partnership with the College of Health Professions, is pleased to invite you to join us for a presentation from British entrepreneur and humanitarian, Steven Williams, on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (Register Now).

Williams is co-founder of the Kyaninga Child Development Centre, which provides therapy, rehabilitation and training for children with disabilities and special needs in Uganda through an extensive, community-based outreach program reaching more than 1,000 children across 25 schools every month.

He is scheduled to deliver his presentation, entitled “Disability Isn’t a Curse, But Stigma Is,” from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Sept. 8 in the MUSC Health Storm Eye Institute Auditorium (HA Room 809) on the Charleston campus, 167 Ashley Avenue. The presentation will also be available as a live webinar. Please click here to register to attend virtually.

According to Williams, families in Uganda that have children with disabilities often face shame, isolation and overwhelming barriers to healthcare, education and mobility. His presentation will include powerful stories of these families, sharing their determination as they strive to improve the lives of their children with the support of leaders like Williams.

To learn more about Williams, please read his full biography below.

Steve Williams Bio

Steven Williams, MBE, is a British-born entrepreneur and humanitarian who has lived in Uganda for over two decades. What began as a backpacking trip in 2003 evolved into a lifelong commitment to the communities in western Uganda. He and his wife Asha first established Kyaninga Lodge, an eco-tourism destination built with and run by local people. Their journey took a deeply personal turn when their son Sidney was born with epilepsy and developmental delays. Experiencing the lack of local support for children with disabilities firsthand inspired Steven to act.

In 2014, Steven co-founded the Kyaninga Child Development Centre (KCDC) alongside physiotherapist Fiona Beckerlegge. What started as a small clinic has grown into one of Uganda’s leading centres for disability inclusion, reaching over 8,000 children to date.

Today, KCDC operates across four integrated programmatic areas with a dedicated team of over 100 staff members. Its Therapy and Rehabilitation program provides life-changing care to more than 1000 children each month, This clinical work forms the backbone of the organisation, reaching children both at the centres and through community-based outreach.

Through Kyaninga Mobility, KCDC has developed an innovative line of bamboo-based wheelchairs designed specifically for rural terrain. After years of research, design, and testing, these assistive devices are now being produced locally, offering a sustainable, affordable, and easily maintainable mobility solution. The initiative has expanded and is creating employment opportunities and building technical skills among local workers, including people with disabilities.

In the area of Inclusive Education, KCDC works with community schools to ensure children with disabilities are not left behind. The Kyaninga Inclusive Education Hub trains teachers, supports inclusive school practices, and operates outreach “pop-up” classrooms for children who are unable to access mainstream education. The Kyaninga Inclusive Model School, established as a national centre of excellence, demonstrates the power of inclusive learning, where children with and without disabilities thrive together.

The fourth pillar of KCDC’s work is Advocacy and Livelihoods, which supports the families of children with disabilities through business training, skills development, and community sensitisation. This program strengthens the economic resilience of caregivers, particularly mothers, while working to reduce stigma and promote disability rights at every level of society.

Steven is also deeply committed to environmental restoration. As one of the co-founders of the Kyaninga Forest Foundation (KFF), he has supported the regeneration of Uganda’s native forests through community-led agroforestry and conservation. KFF has distributed over 110,000 indigenous trees and trained thousands of local farmers in sustainable land management, helping to restore biodiversity while improving livelihoods.

In 2024, Steven was awarded an MBE by King Charles III in recognition of his services to children with disabilities and the wider community. He is quick to note that this honour reflects not only his efforts but those of the entire Kyaninga team and the many families and partners who have shaped this work. His life’s path continues to be guided by empathy, innovation, and the conviction that sustainable, inclusive development must be led from within communities.