Disability Rights 13: The rights of road users

In addition to the human rights laws in the Constitution of Uganda there are several other rights granted to persons with disabilities (PWDs). These rights are given by law in the Persons With Disabilities Act 2006 (PWDA) which is modeled on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Whether you are a PWD or not, these laws apply to you.

Section 23 of the PWDA says it is the duty of the Government to make public roads accessible to PWDs. This will be done in 3 ways:

1. By traffic signals operated by a push button.
2. By traffic lights with audible signals.
3. Using alarm bells to signal traffic is approaching.

Section 24 of the PWDA states that no person should be denied a driving permit because of their disability.

Section 23 of the PWDA focuses on crossing roads and negotiating intersections. PWDs require safe roads with their own space, for instance clearly marked spacious pavements or sidewalks, ramps instead of curbs as well as safe places to cross.

Everyone has the right to use the road. Everyone has the right to be safe.

Living Life: Disabled Cab Driver

This law is written like this in section 23 and 24 of the Persons With Disabilities Act 2006:

23. Protection of visually impaired road users 

It shall be the duty of the Government to make public roads and highways accessible to persons with disabilities including-

(a) equipping pedestrian crossings with traffic control signals controlled by a pedestrian push-button system;

(b) providing pedestrian traffic lights with clearly audible signals;

(c) use of alarms or bells to signal approaching traffic, among others. 

24. Denial of driving permit 

No person with disabilities shall be denied a driving permit by reason of his or her disability.