Kampala, Uganda — The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) has unveiled its National Disability Manifesto, outlining key demands and policy proposals for incoming government for the 2026–2031 term. Key among its calls is the establishment of a National Child Disability Assistance Program, aimed at helping parents and caregivers of children with disabilities meet the additional costs of healthcare, education, and other essential services.
The manifesto, developed in partnership with the Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities, the Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection, the Uganda Media Women’s Association, and other stakeholders, seeks to ensure that disability inclusion remains a top national priority during the next political cycle.
Speaking during the manifesto launch in Kampala, Ms. Esther Kyozira, the Chief Executive Officer of NUDIPU, said the initiative serves as an accountability tool to hold policymakers and government leaders responsible for the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“We are here to launch the National Disability Manifesto in partnership with several organizations representing persons with disabilities. This manifesto is an accountability tool for our Members of Parliament, government, and all institutions responsible for ensuring inclusion,” Ms. Kyozira said.
“Our demands are drawn from the existing legal framework including the Constitution, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Children’s Act, as well as international instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We want political parties and candidates to understand our priorities and make clear commitments, especially regarding children and family support,” she added.
Ms. Kyozira acknowledged progress made by the ruling NRM government, including the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, the 10% allocation under the Parish Development Model (PDM), and affirmative action in higher education. However, she emphasized that “many challenges remain,” and called on government leaders to strengthen disability-responsive programs in the next five years.
Key Social Protection Demands
Highlighting the major demands under the social protection pillar, Mr. Apollo Mukasa, Assistant Director of the Uganda National Action on Physical Disability, urged the government to operationalize targeted programs that address the specific needs of children and adults with disabilities.
Among the proposals are:
- Establishing a National Child Disability Assistance Program to help families cover the extra costs of care and access to services.
- Developing mechanisms to ensure persons with severe disabilities benefit from social and economic empowerment initiatives.
- Conducting research to assess the impact of existing disability-inclusive programs.
On education, Mr. Mukasa called for:
- Expedited finalization and implementation of the National Inclusive Education Policy.
- Increased government sponsorship for students with disabilities from 64 to at least 320 to match the growth of public universities.
- Construction of disability-accessible school facilities, including adapted toilets and ramps.
- Provision of mobility aids such as wheelchairs and crutches free of charge to eligible learners.
- Enforcement of inclusive education policies to ensure schools admit and support learners with disabilities.
Employment and Justice Reforms
Mr. Musana Joel, representing the Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism, highlighted gaps in employment and access to justice for persons with disabilities.
He called on the Ministry of Public Service to:
- Produce annual reports on the employment status of persons with disabilities and present them to Parliament.
- Review public service structures to include reasonable accommodation measures.
- Develop and enforce recruitment and retention policies that promote affirmative action.
- Ensure all ministries and agencies integrate sign language and other accessibility measures for meaningful inclusion.
A Call for Political Commitment
NUDIPU and its partners emphasized that the National Disability Manifesto is not just a set of requests but a roadmap for inclusive national development. The organization called on political parties, candidates, and policymakers to prioritize disability rights in their manifestos ahead of the 2026 general elections.
