A visually impaired student at Kyambogo University has invented a groundbreaking device to help visually impaired individuals accurately identify banknotes, reducing their risk of fraud and deception.
Ayori Moses, a Master’s student in Special Needs Education at Kyambogo University, developed the Uganda Bank Note Identifier (UBI) in response to the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in differentiating various banknotes. Having personally fallen victim to fraud, Ayori was determined to create a solution that would empower those with visual impairments to handle cash transactions independently and securely.
The Uganda Bank Note Identifier (UBI) is a user-friendly device that scans banknotes and provides an audio output indicating the denomination. This allows visually impaired users to identify money accurately without relying on others, thereby reducing their vulnerability to financial exploitation.
In a demonstration video, Ayori showcased how the UBI functions, explaining that the device is designed to be portable and easy to use. He emphasized that the inspiration behind this invention stemmed from his own experiences and those of many other visually impaired Ugandans who frequently encounter challenges in handling cash.
“The inability to differentiate between banknotes has left many visually impaired individuals at the mercy of dishonest people,” Ayori said. “I wanted to create a tool that provides independence and financial security to people like me.”
His invention has already gained attention from various stakeholders, including disability rights organizations and financial institutions, who see the potential of the UBI in improving financial accessibility for the visually impaired.
As Ayori continues to refine and improve the device, he hopes to secure funding and support to make the UBI widely available across Uganda.
