In the heart of Mbale, Eastern Uganda, a dedicated ophthalmic clinical officer, Ambrose Wekwanya, is transforming lives through his unwavering commitment to eye health. As the founder of GAF Eye Health Foundation, Ambrose has made it his mission to provide quality eye care services to underserved communities, ensuring that preventable blindness does not dictate the future of children and families in rural Uganda.
In a recent conversation with KnowTheGlow’s Africa Program Manager, Ruth Ngaruiya, and Director of Global Outreach, Helene Dameris, Ambrose shared his admiration for KTG’s mission. “Problems shared are problems half solved,” he reflected, underscoring the power of collaboration in tackling preventable blindness. Inspired by KTG’s advocacy, he envisions creating materials and campaigns that will outlive him, ensuring that knowledge and awareness continue to spread for generations.
Ambrose’s journey into eye care was deeply personal. Growing up in a region lacking basic eye health services—where people often turned to traditional eye medicine for treatment—he saw firsthand the urgent need for specialized eye medical care. Determined to make a difference, he pursued a career in ophthalmology, driven by the belief that those who leave home to gain knowledge should return to uplift their own communities.
His foundation, GAF Eye Health Foundation, is a non-political,a registered community based organization within Namisindwa district Uganda Africa as well as a charity company registered offering critical services such as eye examinations, diabetic retinopathy screening, glaucoma screening, refraction and spectacle dispensing, and referrals for complex cases. One of the key challenges Ambrose faces is the gap between screening and treatment—many patients are diagnosed but lack the financial means to afford the necessary surgeries. Despite these obstacles, he has successfully facilitated life-changing surgeries, bringing hope to many families.
Ambrose and his team prioritize early detection, recognizing its crucial role in determining outcomes. He frequently conducts screenings in public schools, where he often discovers cataracts and other vision impairments in children. These conditions, if left untreated, can significantly hinder their education and future opportunities. Unfortunately, many of these children, unable to afford private education so most of them are in public government schools who also lack access to quality eye healthcare. “85% of what we do and learn comes through vision,” therefore he calls upon support for school and early childhood eye screenings and treatment to eliminate preventable or treatable childhood blinding diseases for better education. Ambrose emphasizes, highlighting the economic and social impact of undiagnosed and untreated eye conditions.
A passionate advocate for awareness, Ambrose utilizes platforms like YouTube and TikTok to share impactful stories. He ensures that every story shared has a purpose and a solution even when there are times that he does not get the support to facilitate for a child that he wanted to help. Nevertheless, he remains committed to spreading awareness through digital media, physical materials, and even local radio campaigns—hoping that these efforts will create lasting change. His videos uniquely capture the spirit of his work, often filmed in rural villages where he and his team conduct screenings. Ambrose incorporates music and songs into these videos, using the power of storytelling and rhythm to communicate the message of awareness. These songs resonate deeply within the community, making the message more accessible and engaging for those who may not have traditional access to eye healthcare information.
Ambrose’s work extends beyond eye health; he has a deep compassion for children with multiple disabilities. In many cases, he has encountered children who face both vision impairments and other disabilities, making access to education and healthcare even more challenging. He strives to connect these children with the support they need, emphasizing the importance of inclusive eye healthcare.
Among the many lives Ambrose has touched, two stand out—Timothy and Juma. Timothy’s story, captured in a heartfelt video, showcases a child once burdened by physical disability, now thriving thanks to Ambrose’s intervention. Juma, another young boy screened during a school visit, received support for cataract surgery in both eyes and is now on a path to success with an ambition of becoming an eye doctor. These individual victories fuel Ambrose’s passion, reaffirming his belief that every child deserves the opportunity to see and experience the world fully.
Looking ahead, Ambrose is launching a new initiative—a rural eye care program focused on school screenings. By reaching children early, he hopes to identify and address vision issues before they become life-altering disabilities. His dream is to expand GAF Eye Health Foundation’s capabilities, eventually offering in-house cataract surgeries to further close the gap between diagnosis and treatment.
Ambrose Wewanya’s story is one of resilience, passion, and an unyielding commitment to his community. Through GAF Eye Health Foundation, he is not only restoring sight—he is restoring hope. His work serves as a beacon of inspiration, proving that with determination, one person can indeed change countless lives.
Once you are willing to work with GAF Eye Health Foundation, please reach to it via the following;
Website: https://www.eye.ug
Youtube channel: GAF MEDICAL VIDEOS
CONTACTS: +256787999781 (Whatsapp)
Instagram: GAF EYE HEALTH FOUNDATION
