First of all I would like to express my thanks to Gitte Beckmann. Together with Mareile Flitsch, Herbert Muyinda and David Kyaddondo, she initiated the Disability and Technology research project and coordinated long-term cooperation between the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich and the Child Health and Development Centre at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. I count myself lucky that I had the chance to produce this book within the framework of this research project. Gitte Beckmann not only introduced me to fieldwork in Uganda for my Master’s thesis, but was also a wonderful mentor and friend during my PhD studies, always ready with the best advice at the right moment.
I owe my profound gratitude to my supervisors. Mareile Flitsch had already given me the best possible conditions to pursue this research before the project even began. I am grateful for all the opportunities that enabled me to realize this research, and for her valuable guidance all along. I thank my co-supervisor Susan Reynolds Whyte for the crucial questions she asked and the advice she offered during many conversations, for maybe unconsciously reminding me time and time again how great anthropology is, and for being such a wonderful host, together with Michael Whyte, during my stay at the University of Copenhagen.
Whilst researching I was part of several supportive and academic environments. I thank ISEK, the Social and Cultural Anthropology Department at the University of Zurich, for providing such a great working environment, and for giving me the opportunity to share and gain knowledge by various teaching opportunities throughout my PhD years. Esther Leeman’s dedicated coaching support was especially invaluable. I am grateful to the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen for hosting me for a full year, during which I advanced my research project immensely. My special thanks goes to the head of the department, Helle Samuelsen, as well as Vicky Antosz for her help with all the paperwork and practicalities in Denmark. I am also thankful to the Child Health and Development Centre at Makerere University for providing me with an academic working environment for two years. I owe my special thanks to Anne Katahoire, director of the centre, and Augustine Mutumba for various administrative support.
In all these academic environments I was surrounded by amazing colleagues, many of whom have commented on drafts, presentations or papers that I have produced during this research project. They also gave me incredible emotional support during hard times, and shared invaluable tips and tricks for mastering a dissertation project. I am glad to have been part of a writing
During my fieldwork in the Kyangwali refugee settlement I experienced support in various ways. My heartfelt thanks go to Amani Bakunda, who helped me accomplish this research project – not just through his translation services. He helped me by enabling and ensuring access and rapport through his respectful and light-hearted way of interaction, and was a good friend and advisor for important decisions. I also thank Emma Ssempiira, the manager of St. Patricks Guesthouse, for providing me with such a warm home during my fieldwork. I would like to acknowledge Donald Mahanga, who officially taught me Kiswahili but actually tutored me in many other things regarding life in Kyangwali and life more broadly. For the transcription and translation work of my recorded interviews I thank Rehema Bavuma.
The research project was only possible due to generous support from several institutions. I most of all thank the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for funding my three-year PhD position within the Disability and Technology research project. The SNSF also funded my one-year scholarship at the University of Copenhagen through their doc.mobility programme and the open access publication of this book. North-South Cooperation at The Office of International Relations, as well as the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich funded many further activities that took place around this research project. They supported our research group’s regular meetings, as well as a field school in Uganda that I was able to organize along with Raphel Schwere and Francesca Rickli in summer 2017. I am grateful to the students of this field school for their interest in our research field and for co-creating such a friendly atmosphere for knowledge exchange. I also thank the participants in our Stakeholders’ Dialogues on Disability and Research, held in Kampala. The critical and application-oriented inquiries and inputs from representatives of various international and national NGOs and disability organizations, as well as from the government, made me reflect on my research project in important ways.
I am very grateful to the School of Health at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, for validating my research project and providing me with the necessary
This research project was also sustained by the support of my family and friends in Switzerland, Uganda and Denmark. I am so thankful for your continuous interest, for the visits to all the places this research project took me, and for providing me with a home away from home. I thank my various roommates in the different places for making me feel so welcome and for creating great working environments. I especially thank my Mum and Dad and my brothers for always believing in me without a doubt and for giving me all the support I needed to complete this project. My heartfelt thanks go to Francesca Rickli, who has been a great friend, critical voice and source of immense support throughout this project. I am so glad I was able to make this PhD journey together with you, although we lived on different continents for most of the time. Rehema Bavuma became a very close friend during this journey as well. I thank you for the shared joys and worries and the many office hours we spent together.
My greatest thanks go to all the interlocutors who took part in my study. I express my gratitude to the aid workers for their expertise and knowledge, and I thank the various aid agencies in Kyangwali for giving me a hand in finding answers to my questions. I am, however, most of all grateful to all the people with disabilities in Kyangwali and their families who so kindly let me participate in their daily lives, and who shared their knowledge and opinions with me. This study was only possible due to the many hours they spent with me, and their openness towards my queries and interests.