{"id":411,"date":"2024-12-15T06:58:17","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T06:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/?p=411"},"modified":"2024-12-15T06:58:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T06:58:18","slug":"ard-annual-general-meeting-celebrating-milestones-and-honoring-founders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/uncategorized\/ard-annual-general-meeting-celebrating-milestones-and-honoring-founders\/","title":{"rendered":"ARD Annual General Meeting: Celebrating Milestones and Honoring Founders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In 2010, Obedi Bayonga and Faustin Ntiabategera co-founded the Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) in Uganda. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a transformative force, advocating for the rights and inclusion of refugees with disabilities. Their shared vision of empowerment continues to inspire the organization\u2019s work to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this year\u2019s ARD Annual General Meeting, the organization marked a significant milestone in its journey of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. The event not only reflected on ARD\u2019s achievements but also honored the visionary leadership of its founders. Obedi Bayonga and Faustin Ntiabategera were recognized with an Appreciation Award for their exceptional contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commemorating ARD\u2019s Milestone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her opening remarks, ARD\u2019s Executive Director underscored the significance of the milestone. \u201cToday, we celebrate a legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and empowerment. Over the years, ARD has transformed countless lives, and this milestone is a reflection of our collective commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in refugee settings. To our founders, your vision planted the seeds of this impactful journey, and we honor you today with hearts full of gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the Founders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obedi Bayonga, who now resides in Sweden, attended the ceremony in person, reflecting on the growth and impact of the organization. Accepting the award, he remarked, \u201cThis award is not just a recognition of our efforts but of everyone who has supported ARD\u2019s mission. It\u2019s a testament to what can be achieved through resilience and collaboration. We started ARD with a simple idea\u2014that every refugee with a disability deserves dignity and opportunity. Today, I see that idea blossoming in ways we never imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although unable to attend in person, Faustin Ntiabategera, now residing in the USA, joined the ceremony virtually. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating, \u201cThis moment signifies the strength of our collective efforts. While I\u2019m miles away, my heart remains with ARD and the communities it serves. Our work is far from over, but seeing the progress we\u2019ve made reassures me that our vision is in safe hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Obedi Bayongwa, wearing a red shirt, is receiving an award of recognition from Executive Director Muombumungu James and the Chairperson of the Board, Uwingabire Marie Claire. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Beacon of Hope<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both founders remain deeply involved in the organization\u2019s progress, offering guidance to ensure ARD thrives as a beacon of hope for refugees with disabilities. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that transformative change begins with a vision, and with dedication, that vision can ripple across communities and borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the AGM concluded, the Executive Director Muombamungu James, reaffirmed ARD\u2019s commitment to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. \u201cOur journey is far from over,\u201d she stated. \u201cTogether, we will continue to champion the rights of refugees with disabilities, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for self-reliance. This milestone is a moment of reflection and a call to action for us all to remain steadfast in our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ARD`s Executive Director, Mr. Muombamungu James, addressing during the Annual general meeting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The event was a celebration of ARD\u2019s legacy and an inspiration for the future. With a strong foundation and a clear vision, the organization looks forward to continuing its transformative work and honoring the values upon which it was built. As ARD looks ahead, plans are already underway to strengthen partnerships, enhance program delivery, and extend its impact to more communities in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through collective efforts and shared vision, ARD\u2019s future remains bright, as it continues to shine as a leader in advocating for the rights and inclusion of refugees with disabilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2010, Obedi Bayonga and Faustin Ntiabategera co-founded the Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) in Uganda. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a transformative force, advocating for the rights and inclusion of refugees with disabilities. Their shared vision of empowerment continues to inspire the organization\u2019s work to this day. At this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=411"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":415,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411\/revisions\/415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ardofuganda.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}