Mulani Isabirye is indeed the proverbial cornerstone

What the report says

The Observer profiles Isabirye Mulani, a 26-year-old visually impaired student at UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Uganda, where he is studying for a diploma after completing a certificate in May. The article says he was born in Jinja, raised in Kamuli, and lost his sight in early childhood after a medical treatment following measles. It presents him as someone navigating campus life independently and using long experience in the same environment to move around without assistance.

According to the interview, Mulani has also built a career in gospel music. He said his interest in singing began in childhood, and that he only started writing songs in 2020 during the COVID-19 period. The piece lists several releases, including Kyakuwa, Mbiguni Kwanzaa, Bwolidda, Nazuula, Akola and his latest song, Sitye. It also notes support from individuals and groups connected to his education and recordings, including Children of Grace, Joseph Mabonga, Joseph Ngoma, Gospel Heartbeat and a manager based in Manchester, UK.

The story highlights personal setbacks and resilience, including family tensions in childhood and an injury after he fell into a pit latrine while returning to record his first song. It says music now helps support his family, and he hopes to open a studio and form a band in the future. More broadly, the profile underscores how education, faith and the arts can create opportunities for people with disabilities in Uganda.