Lapaire Eyes Future Specialists as Uganda Battles Shortage of Eye Care Professionals
Uganda is facing a critical shortage of eye specialists, with fewer than 500 professionals serving nearly 46 million people—a ratio experts warn is far too low to meet the country’s needs.
To help address this gap, eyewear brand Lapaire Uganda has launched a mentorship drive aimed at inspiring secondary school students to consider careers in optometry and eye care.
The company recently held its first Lapaire Open Day at its Ntinda branch, welcoming students, teachers, and parents to explore opportunities in the field. Participants were introduced to modern eye-testing equipment, diagnostic procedures, and engaged with practicing specialists.
John Hilary Balyejusa, Lapaire’s Public Relations and Communications Executive, said the initiative is about planting seeds early.
“Uganda has less than 500 eye specialists for almost 50 million people. That makes access to eye health very difficult. By exposing students to optometry at a formative stage, we hope to nurture the next generation of specialists who will bridge this gap,” Balyejusa explained.
Beyond medical practice, the program also showcased career paths in sales, business management, and service delivery. Lapaire’s Human Resource Manager, Mark Muoki, noted that sustainability in eye care requires more than doctors.
“Eye care isn’t only about specialists. It also involves those who keep the businesses running—managers, salespeople, and service teams. We want students to see that there are multiple ways to contribute to the sector,” he said.
For many students, it was their first real encounter with the science of eye health. Tennisha Birungi, a student from Rise and Shine High School Ntinda, said the experience broadened her horizons.
“I didn’t know anything about eye specialists before today. I’ve learned about glasses, materials, and how they are made. This has opened my mind to think beyond traditional careers like doctors or pilots,” she shared.
During the event, optometrist Jackline Baboneraawo highlighted the need for government investment in training institutions.
“Currently, Uganda has very few schools offering eye care courses—Makerere trains optometrists and Jinja has one school for ophthalmology. That’s why the numbers remain low. More institutions would mean a brighter future for the sector,” she said.
She also urged Ugandans to take personal responsibility for their eye health.
“Everyone should have their eyes checked at least once a year. And for people who spend long hours on screens, practice the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.”
The Open Day is part of Lapaire’s broader community outreach, which includes school visits, programs for teenage mothers and the elderly, and corporate wellness campaigns under the “Eye Care at Work” initiative. The company also plans to join a national road safety campaign, highlighting the link between poor vision and accidents.
By targeting students early, Lapaire hopes to build a steady pipeline of professionals who will one day transform Uganda’s eye care landscape—turning good vision from a privilege into a universal right.
