The Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hellen Asamo, has called on the public to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ensure their inclusion at all levels of development as Uganda prepares to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
This year’s national celebrations will take place at Bomas Grounds in Kumi District, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to preside over the event.
The day is themed “Improved Household Incomes for the Wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities,” a focus that Minister Asamo says highlights the need to empower PWDs economically to enhance their quality of life.
She emphasized that inclusive employment and livelihood opportunities are critical to addressing inequality and poverty among PWDs.
“By improving livelihood outcomes, persons with disabilities will be able to meet their basic needs, gain employment, and earn income. These benefits will ripple beyond individual households, contributing to national development,” Asamo stated.
The International Day for Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on October 14, 1992, and first observed globally on December 3 of the same year.
Disability in Uganda
Uganda’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020, recognizes eight categories of disabilities: physical disabilities, hearing disabilities, visual disabilities, deaf-blindness, mental disabilities, albinism, dwarfism, and multiple disabilities.
Despite Uganda’s robust legal framework, Asamo acknowledged that poverty and inequality remain significant challenges for PWDs. She noted that disability often limits socio-economic participation, exacerbating poverty.
“Beyond mainstream wealth creation initiatives, affirmative action grants are necessary to bridge the gaps caused by the functional limitations of PWDs,” she said.
Government Efforts
To address these disparities, the government has implemented the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, which supports organized groups of PWDs in starting income-generating enterprises.
According to Asamo, between 2019 and 2023, the government has disbursed UGX 36 billion to 7,422 enterprise groups comprising 55,799 households. These groups include 28,350 men and 28,558 women with disabilities.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is also conducting a Disability Functional Difficulties Survey to update data for the 2024 census, following the 2014 report that estimated disability prevalence at 12.4%.
Call to Action
Minister Asamo urged all stakeholders to work towards creating an inclusive society that uplifts PWDs through economic empowerment and active participation in development initiatives.
“Improving household incomes and livelihoods for persons with disabilities is not just about individual success but about fostering national growth and reducing inequality,” she concluded.
