For the first time, the Government of Uganda has allocated Sh15.5 billion for a Child Disability Benefit under the Sh173.55 billion Social Protection Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The new programme is designed to support families raising children with disabilities, who often face additional expenses related to healthcare, caregiving, transportation, and assistive devices. According to available data, 3.5% of children aged 2–4 years and 7.5% of those aged 15–17 years in Uganda live with disabilities. Meanwhile, 44% of children experience multidimensional poverty, highlighting the need for targeted social protection interventions.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection, Rukiga County MP Patrick Kiconco welcomed the allocation, noting that many caregivers have been trapped in poverty due to the demands of providing full-time care for children with disabilities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), Ms Esther Kyozira, also applauded the government’s commitment and called for increased funding in future budgets to expand coverage and reach more eligible children across the country.
