The Rwandan Union of the Blind (RUB) has issued a strong call to action ahead of World White Cane Day 2025, urging government institutions, the private sector, and civil society to take immediate steps to make the country more accessible and inclusive for persons with visual impairments.
The national celebration, scheduled for November 7, 2025, will be held in Huye district under the global theme, “Vision beyond sight: Celebrating independence, resilience, and recognizing achievements of the blind.”
World White Cane Day, marked internationally every October 15, serves as a reminder of the white cane’s profound significance, not merely as a mobility tool but as a symbol of independence, dignity, and equal rights.
In Rwanda, the RUB emphasizes that the white cane embodies resilience and intellect, enabling those without sight to live full and independent lives.
Jacques Mugisha, the Executive Director of the RUB, says that accessibility and the right to use a white cane must be viewed through the lens of equality, not charity.
“Promoting the white cane’s easy availability and having the right value is a right for the visually impaired, and not pity or mercy. The white cane continues to be a center of self-education, dignity, and the effective use of the brain,” he said, highlighting that living well without sight requires both determination and creativity.
Echoing this message, Santosh Kumar Rungta, President of the World Federation of the Blind, noted, “On this White Cane Day, we celebrate and remember the strength and uniqueness of blind people. Here, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world that respects and values diversity.”
Despite progress in disability inclusion, the RUB reports that many people with visual impairments in Rwanda still face challenges that limit their independence.
Unsafe urban infrastructure, such as uncovered water channels and irregular pedestrian paths, pose physical risks, while stigma and social barriers continue to hinder full participation in education, employment, and public life.
The organization stresses that these barriers are not just physical but also attitudinal, reflecting a lack of awareness and inclusivity across society.
As the RUB marks 17 years of commemorating White Cane Day, it is renewing calls for a coordinated national response to remove obstacles that impede the lives of people with visual impairments.
The Union is urging authorities and partners to ensure safe and accessible infrastructure, promote assistive technology, improve accessibility of online platforms, and strengthen the RUB Training Centre, the country’s only facility dedicated to teaching white cane use and rehabilitation skills.
The upcoming celebration in Huye District will feature a week-long campaign of awareness and community engagement, including media discussions, institutional dialogues, and outreach activities.
One of the key initiatives will be the distribution of 100 white canes to visually impaired individuals, each symbolizing empowerment and freedom of movement.
Through this year’s commemoration, the RUB seeks to turn advocacy into action, ensuring that accessibility becomes an integral part of Rwanda’s development vision through creating a barrier-free society is not an act of kindness, but a shared responsibility that upholds dignity, equality, and independence for all citizens.
