Uganda disability groups advocate for education access and economic empowerment

Disability advocacy groups in Uganda are intensifying efforts to secure better government support and economic inclusion for persons with disabilities. The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), the Uganda National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (UNAPD), and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Persons with Disabilities (UPFPWDS) recently met with the Parliamentary Equal Opportunities Committee to discuss the NUDIPU Disability Manifesto 2026–2031.

A primary concern raised was the lack of access to higher education. While the Ministry of Education and Sports proposed increasing the number of learners with disabilities in government institutions from 64 to 324, the expansion has not yet been implemented. Advocates are calling for urgent parliamentary oversight and increased investment to address these barriers.

Simultaneously, the Uganda Disabled Women’s Association (UDWA) has launched a mobilization campaign to connect women and girls with disabilities to government livelihood programs. Starting in the Wakiso District, the initiative aims to bridge information gaps regarding economic opportunities such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Special Grants, ensuring women with disabilities can participate actively in the country’s development agenda.