Between September 16–30, 2025, the We are Able! (WaA!) programme marked its closure through six national events in Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia. These forums reflected on five years of achievements, showcasing how advocacy, inclusion and government engagement have reshaped food security and disability rights agendas across Africa.
Below is the summary of the six country closure events:
Burundi – Bujumbura, September 16
On September 16, 2025, WaA! held the closing event in Bujumbura, Burundi. Officials from government, ZOA, the Dutch Embassy, and civil society highlighted progress since 2021 in advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, particularly in food security. The event featured speeches, panel discussions and testimonies showcasing achievements such as empowering 2,410 households, directly supporting 1,273 persons with disabilities, and engaging four municipalities to strengthen inclusive governance. Presentations emphasised Burundi’s legal and policy commitments, the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Food Security and Nutrition, and progress on land rights and inheritance for persons with disabilities. Testimonies reflected a shift in attitudes, improved access to services, and stronger advocacy structures such as CORPHB. Recommendations included strengthening representation in elections, land registration, reduced bank interest rates, and ongoing awareness to combat stigma. The event closed with cultural celebrations.
Highlights:
- Attended by the Ministry of Justice, Law and Gender, alongside ZOA’s CEO, Chris Lukkien.
- Strong balance of government and international participation.
- Advocacy focused on sustaining inclusive food security and engaging local officials post-WaA!.
- The Governor of Burunga pledged to mobilise elected leaders to sustain the project’s legacy.
- OPDs declared “Nous sommes capables!” to affirm continuity.
- Media coverage supported messaging of rights-based inclusion.
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DR Congo – Kinshasa, September 18
The Democratic Republic of Congo marked five years of the WaA! programme with a milestone closure event in Kinshasa, celebrating inclusive progress and partnerships. Working mainly in the Kivu region, WaA! collaborated with civil society and organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advance food security, rights, and advocacy. OPDs in South Kivu submitted a petition calling for stronger autonomy, participation, and income opportunities. Local authorities and the Ministry in Charge of Persons with Disabilities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining achievements and prioritising inclusion. The programme leaves behind strengthened governance, community advocacy, and improved access to services.
Highlights:
- Featured the Ministries of Disabilities and Human Rights, and FENAPHACO leadership.
- Mr. Henri Wembolua represented the Minister in charge of Persons with Disabilities.
- Advocacy centred on scaling OPD petitions from local to national level.
- Turnout was strong, ensuring visibility of OPDs in plenaries.
- Quote: “WaA! helped us to understand we can achieve big changes in welfare of persons with disabilities.” – Beaudry Katakeya.
LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7374507950037516288
South Sudan – Juba, September 25
South Sudan celebrated the successful closure of the WaA! programme after five years of advancing disability-inclusive food security and livelihoods. The event brought together policymakers, OPDs, CSOs, religious leaders, and community members to celebrate achievements and chart the way forward. Commitments included sustaining technical working groups, ensuring inclusive budgeting through the National Assembly, and fast-tracking the Disability Bill with financing for disability initiatives. Religious leaders also pledged to continue using worship spaces for awareness and advocacy. WaA! leaves a strong legacy of strengthened voices, inclusive governance, and collective action to ensure no one is left behind.
Highlights:
- Engaged Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, and National Assembly members.
- Public authorities committed to fast-tracking the Disability Bill and disability-inclusive budgeting.
- Civil society voices, including CEPO and the SSUPD, were prominent.
- Religious leaders pledged to use worship spaces for disability inclusion messages.
- Sustainability commitments: maintain inclusive governance working groups and advocacy coalitions.
LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7377067715951259648
Uganda – Kampala, September 26
Uganda celebrated the closure of the WaA! programme in Kampala, reflecting on five years of advancing disability-inclusive food security and governance. With government, NUDIPU, Food Rights Alliance, National Land Coalition, consortium partners, and community leaders, the event highlighted policy changes from 2021–25 and set recommendations for the future. WaA! strengthened OPDs and community structures, creating four district unions, empowering 310 parish-level associations, and supporting 260 iSAVE groups and 5,000 PIP households. Partners also trained OPDs in governance and resource mobilisation. The programme leaves a legacy of stronger participation, inclusive planning, and resilient communities where no one is left behind.
Highlights:
- Attended by NUDIPU, Food Rights Alliance, National Land Alliance, and Dutch Embassy representatives.
- Certificates awarded by Bouwe Jan Smeding (Dutch Embassy).
- Denis Obbo, Permanent Secretary, contributed to panel debates on accessibility.
- Advocacy asks: integration of disability inclusion in government programmes like the Parish Development Model.
- Strong grassroots turnout with new OPD structures formed at district and parish levels.
- Closing message: “Accessibility and participation are not optional add-ons — they are the foundation of resilient communities.”
LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7377371374601809921
Sudan – Gedaref, September 29
Sudan marked the closure of the WaA! programme with an inspiring event bringing together government officials, OPDs, CSOs, partners and community leaders. Despite immense challenges, WaA! strengthened advocacy, capacity building and community dialogue to ensure persons with disabilities are recognised as rights-holders in food security. Testimonies highlighted growing confidence and influence, with local leaders now lobbying for inclusive policies and stronger participation. Officials and partners praised WaA!’s role in shifting mindsets and amplifying voices, proving that inclusion builds resilience. While the programme concludes, its legacy endures: inclusive food security is not charity, but justice for all.
Highlights:
- Highlighted by the State Disability Council’s Ali Hashim, who credited WaA! with empowering OPDs.
- Advocacy focused on enabling OPDs to directly influence government officials.
- Despite fragile context, coalitions for local advocacy were formed.
- Media coverage included national television, and personal testimonies helped shift perceptions.
- Quote: “After the knowledge and capacity building I gained from WaA!, it is now the government officials who hesitate before me.” – Ali Hashim.
LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7378496739781046272
Ethiopia – Addis Ababa, September 30
Ethiopia celebrated the closure of the five-year WaA! programme with a high-level event attended by government officials, international partners, OPDs, CSOs, and community leaders. Speakers, including State Minister Huria Ali Mahdi, highlighted WaA!’s achievements in food and livelihood security, access to services, and the promotion of disability rights. Through community mobilisation, capacity building, and innovative livelihood models, the programme empowered persons with disabilities and strengthened inclusive governance. A panel on sustainability stressed the need for policy continuity beyond WaA!. While the programme concludes, partners reaffirmed their commitment to build on its legacy of empowerment and inclusion.
Highlights:
- Attended by State Minister Huria Ali Mahdi, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dutch Embassy leaders.
- Advocacy calls centred on sustaining WaA! achievements beyond the programme, stressing policy integration.
- OPDs echoed: “The vision is not closed.”
- High media and donor visibility reinforced continuity of WaA! principles.
- Sustainability: explicit government and donor commitment to carry forward WaA!’s gains.
LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7378824582390169602
Across all six countries, WaA! events shifted narratives from charity to rights-based inclusion. Ministries pledged reforms, parliaments promised bills, and OPDs demonstrated readiness to lead. As one leader summarised in Ethiopia: “While today we officially close the project, we do not close the vision nor the responsibility it has set before us.”