KABALE, UGANDA – Stakeholders and human rights defenders in Kabale District have issued a compelling call for stronger, more effective measures to promote and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The appeal was made on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during a stakeholder engagement training organized by the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) at the Kabale Municipal Council Hall.
The gathering of district leaders and PWD representatives was part of the Collective Action for Disability Rights (CADIR) Program, a five-year (2025–2029), multi-district initiative to build a multi-stakeholder approach to disability inclusion.
Lydia Kobusinge, the NUDIPU Programs Officer, stated that the core objective of the CADIR program is to dismantle barriers by fostering collaboration among various stakeholders.
She noted that this multi-stakeholder approach is necessary because Persons with Disabilities often face challenges in self-advocacy stemming from a lack of awareness about their rights and responsibilities.
“The CADIR program seeks to build a multi-stakeholder approach toward disability inclusion,” Kobusinge explained.
Kabale Municipality Deputy Town Clerk Eric Sunday echoed calls for urgent action, stating that disability inclusion is a non-debatable necessity that must be seamlessly integrated into all government programs.
He pointed to the persistent inaccessibility of public buildings and roads as a significant barrier that denies PWDs equal participation in society.
District Community Development Officer Christopher Namara highlighted how deep-seated negative perceptions continue to marginalize PWDs, effectively excluding them from mainstream social and economic life.
“Some families still hide children with disabilities from the public and rarely consider them in matters like inheritance,” Namara stated.
Stakeholders also questioned the discrepancy in data for the 10% of Parish Development Model (PDM) revolving funds earmarked for PWDs, calling for greater transparency and proper accountability.
District Councillor for PWDs, Hon. Herbert Katungi, tasked the Chief Administrative Officer to provide clear beneficiary data and pushed for legislation mandating access ramps in all public buildings.
Emphasizing the need for quality education, Kabale District Service Commission Chairperson Bernard Tumukunde called for increased investment in specialized training and resources, arguing that children with disabilities must not be left in the hands of untrained teachers.
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba commended NUDIPU’s efforts and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to disability rights, citing Uganda’s ratification of international conventions and the PWDs Act 2020.
RDC Katamba called on leaders to champion inclusion, hold violators accountable, and stop the marginalization of PWDs in government programs, which he stated would not be tolerated.
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