The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) has urged the Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports to increase funding for inclusive education and vocational skilling across all levels.

The increase in funding would ensure support for inclusive learning and gainful employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), according to NUDIPU officials.

Ruth Nalugya National Coordinator of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association Uganda addressing journalists about the international day for persons with disabilities during press conference at NUDIPU Offices in Kampala. Photos by Mary Kansiime

According to Esther Kyoziira, the Chief Executive Officer of NUDIPU, a few PWDs access education and vocational skilling, something she said exposes them to utter unemployment which translates into inaccessibility to basic needs.

Kyoziira was addressing the press at NUDIPU offices on Friday (December 2) in Bukoto, Kampala.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2014 Population and Housing Census report indicated that Uganda had up to 12.4% PWDs out of the total population in the country.

In 2016, just two years after, the Uganda Functional Difficulties report revealed that 16.5% of the total population was living with disabilities.

Esther Kyozira Chief Executive Officer from National Union OF Disabled Person of Uganda (NUDIPU) addressing journalists.

However, out of 2.5 million Uganda children living with disabilities, only 250,000 have access to education which according to Kyoziira, is dangerous for the country.

Kyoziira said the number of PWDs is rapidly growing and yet the accessibility to financial services, employment, education and health continues to become difficult.

“The population living with disability are always faced with stigma and discrimination which tend to lock them outside the opportunities. There is a need for the mindset change among the victims, communities and leaders to ensure they have their full rights,” Kyoziira said.

Kyoziira’s plea comes when Uganda will be joining the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for PWDs which will be running on the theme; “Leadership and mind-set change: A tool for Inclusive Development.”

The celebration event will be held in Kole district, in Northern region of Uganda.  

Internationally, Uganda is a signatory to several international pieces of legislation advocating for the rights of PWDs including the 2008 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and 1983 International Labour Organisation Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of disabled persons.

In 2020, with the help of UNICEF, the government entered into a partnership with the Starkey Foundation to carry out a countrywide assessment of learners with hearing impairments and was able to supply hearing devices to 1,554 students from 296 primary schools in 79 districts across Uganda.

Additionally, all government programs for promoting education – Universal Primary education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Business and Vocational Technical Training are all embedded with affirmative action for learners with disabilities. 

According to Primrose Nabukalu, an official from Inclusion Uganda, the Government has made some visible efforts to elevate the status of PWDs, but much still needs to be done to realize the results.

Nabukalu suggested that mental clinics be constructed in communities to extend services close to the PWDs.

“There are disabled people who need special care, but cannot access it due to the distant health centres. There should be urgent intervention to address the issue,” Nabukalu said.