Kellya Uwiragiye

Kellya Uwiragiye holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Rwanda, and is the founder of Media for Deaf Rwanda, a non-governmental organization established in 2014, which strives for social and media inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people in Rwanda. Kellya’s dissertation research on media access for the deaf led her to start an organization that advocates for media inclusion of deaf people. Kellya Uwiragiye has almost four years of experience in the disability movement and currently works as a sign language interpreter. She also designed a media campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of Rwandan Sign Language. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she hopes to apply her acquired skills and strong network to improve access to services and education for the deaf in Rwanda.