The Government has reaffirming the nation’s commitment to promoting the rights, dignity, and socio-economic inclusion of its citizens with disabilities.
Hellen Grace Asamo, Minister of State for Disability Affairs, highlighted that this year’s theme, “Wealth Creation Programmes: A Key to Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,” underscores the importance of economic inclusion as a pathway to independence and dignity.
According to the 2024 National Household Population Census, Uganda has a disability prevalence rate of 13.6%, representing nearly 6.9 million people.
Asamo emphasized that while persons with disabilities contribute significantly as workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, many continue to face barriers such as stigma, limited education, inaccessibility, and restricted access to financial services.
“Participation in the money economy remains limited for many, which restricts their ability to fully benefit from national development initiatives. It is imperative that all wealth creation programs actively include disability-focused measures,” she said.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with government agencies and development partners, have rolled out several initiatives aimed at transforming the livelihoods of persons with disabilities. These include the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, support under the Parish Development Model, vocational rehabilitation programs, financial inclusion initiatives, and expansion of rehabilitative services across key regional hospitals.
Despite these strides, challenges persist, with research indicating low participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream programs like the Youth Livelihood Program and Operation Wealth Creation, largely due to negative perceptions, inaccessible facilities, and inadequate financial literacy.
Asamo called on all Ugandans to embrace compassion, promote meaningful participation, and strengthen accountability to ensure persons with disabilities enjoy dignity, respect, and economic security.
“Let us all work together to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind, and that Uganda remains a nation of inclusion and opportunity,” she said.
