Over 400 Pader residents benefit from free eye clinic

14 August 2026, 16:20

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

More than 400 Pader residents have received free eye services and reading glasses valued at more than Shs140 million during an outreach organised by The Women of Pader Uganda in partnership with Community Focus International (CFI).

The one-day outreach was held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at The Women of Pader premises in Oloki Lee Cell, Lagwai Parish, Pader Town Council.

The exercise targeted community members experiencing eye-related challenges, particularly those experiencing difficulties with reading.

CFI Founder and Executive Director, Benson Ocan, said the organisation received a large donation of reading glasses from Restoring Vision, a United States-based organisation, to support communities experiencing vision challenges.

Ocan said each pair of reading glasses is valued at about Shs350,000. With more than 400 people benefiting, the glasses distributed during the outreach represent an estimated value of more than Shs140 million.

He said the glasses come in different strengths, ranging from 1.0 to almost 3.0, and are strictly intended for reading.

Ocan warned beneficiaries against selling or giving away the glasses, saying each pair has a specific prescription and may not be suitable for another person.

Ocan urged beneficiaries to take good care of the glasses and warned them against using reading glasses while driving, riding motorcycles or walking, saying they are specifically designed for close-up reading.

He said many people in Northern Uganda struggle to read newspapers, signs, scriptures and other materials due to poor vision, which limits their participation in everyday activities.

The Women of Pader Uganda In-Country Director and Business Training and Micro Loan Project Manager, Aboga Jacob Brused, said the outreach was organised after the organisation noticed an increasing number of people seeking assistance for eye-related problems.

Aboga said supporting people with eye-related challenges is not new to The Women of Pader Uganda, explaining that the organisation has previously referred people with serious eye conditions to St Joseph’s Hospital Eye Clinic and other health facilities for specialised treatment.

He said the organisation also works with St Joseph’s Hospital, Lacoo and Ultimate Choice Clinic in Pader, among other health facilities, to ensure community members receive appropriate medical care.

Aboga said the organisation focuses on social support, economic empowerment, health and spiritual support, with the aim of improving the lives of people in the communities where it operates.

One beneficiary, Auma Irene from Pagwari East Cell in Acoro Parish, said she learnt about the outreach on the radio after developing eye problems following a road crash in March this year.

Auma said receiving the reading glasses would help her read her mobile phone, the Bible and other materials that had become difficult to read.

Another beneficiary, Charles Obitan from Ogwaleng Valley in Luna Parish, Pader Town Council, said he could not afford the cost of reading glasses and was grateful to receive a pair free of charge.

He thanked The Women of Pader Uganda and CFI for providing the glasses, saying the support would help improve his ability to read in his daily activities.

CFI says it plans to return to Pader to assess people who require prescription glasses, wheelchairs, crutches and other assistive devices.

The organisation also plans to train staff of The Women of Pader Uganda, district officials and health workers to strengthen community-based eye care and assistive services.

The outreach is part of efforts by The Women of Pader Uganda and CFI to improve access to essential health and disability support services in Pader and surrounding communities.