Disability Rights 2: Objectives of the Persons With Disabilities Act

The Persons With Disabilities Act 2006 (PWDA) is one of the most significant laws for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda. It is modeled on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and brings those rights into law in Uganda. Whether you are a PWD or not, this law applies to you. 

Section 3 of the PWDA  describes why the Act was put into place. It makes the following important  points:

• PWDs have the same rights to dignity and equal opportunities as any other citizens. 
• The act was put into place to eliminate discrimination and promote a positive attitude toward disability. 
• Difference should be respected and accepted, disability is an important part of human diversity. 
• The act encourages the government and community to recognize the important contribution that PWDs make to the economy and society.

If you are a PWD and you feel you are discriminated against or you are not being treated with dignity and respect this law supports you. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. 

To get your rights, demand your rights. 

If your rights are violated you can make a complaint to the Uganda Human Rights commission, see Know Your Rights 25: Complaint - Getting you voice heard or the Equal Opportunities Commission, see Know Your Rights 27: Getting your voice heard 2.

Disability comes in many varieties, everyone deserves respect.

Section 3 of the PWDA describes the objects of the Act like this:

3. Objects of the Act 

The objects of the Act are—

(a) to promote dignity and equal opportunities to persons with disabilities;

(b) to develop and promote the participation of persons with Disabilities in all aspects of life as equal citizens of Uganda;

(c) to encourage the people and all sectors of government and Community recognize, respect and accept difference and Disability as part of humanity and human diversity;

(d) to eliminate all forms of discrimination of persons with Disabilities on ground of their disabilities;

(e) to encourage all sectors of government and community to Promote and include disability issues into all economic, Political and social development policies and programmes;

(f) to promote positive attitude and image of persons with Disabilities as capable and contributing members of society, sharing the same rights and freedoms as other members of society.