Mitigation of Gender Based Violence in Uganda

NUWODU, the National Union of Women With Disabilities of Uganda says:

Check out our documentary on the mitigation of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the districts of Koboko, Pader and Kotido.

This Documentary highlights our experience, as NUWODU, in implementing a-three-year (2013-2016) GBV project in the Northern districts of Koboko, Pader and Kotido in Uganda proudly supported by Open Society initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA).

More about Little People of Uganda

Annet Nakyeyune Tibaleka says she was forcefully sterilized by her family at the age of thirteen because they didn't want her to have another child like Love Anne-Marie.

VOA's Ndimyake Mwakalyelye reports on dwarfism in Uganda and later talks to Annet Nakyeyune Tibaleka, Founder/Executive Director, Little People of Uganda and her daughter Love Anne-Marie.

Uganda: Living with cerebral palsy

Shamim Nantamb talks about her life with cerebral palsy

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) can lead a productive lives

PWDs can be productive if they are empowered socially and economically. As long as one part of the body is functioning you can do something,,,

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Should 1 person in 11 be excluded from Ugandan society?

See how some disable people are taking action to ensure their buildings are accessible.

Poverty and Disability In Uganda

There is a strong link between poverty and disability the Republic of Uganda Poverty Status Report 2014 says. In 2009/10 92.3% of households with a severely disabled member were considered to be living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty.

In addition, individuals with disabilities are likely to have more expensive consumption needs to attain a given standard of living due to additional expenditures related to healthcare, assistive devices, transportation and assistance workers.

“A Mini Poverty and Participatory Assessment,” the report continues

also found that individuals with disabilities are disproportionately affected by poverty. In Lira, it was reported that disabled individuals faced many problems with very little assistance from others or means of earning money. The disabled are registered at the sub-county but do not benefit from any special assistance or targeted programme.

With a wheelchair and artificial legs this man could make a contribution to his family

How does this translate to real numbers? The population of Uganda was estimated to be 37,580,000 in 2014 of which some 16% are estimated to be disabled says the African Disability Rights Handbook 2014. By my calculation in 2014 there were 5,625,000 PWDs (persons with disabilities) in Uganda. There are just under 5,200,000 PWDs living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty in Uganda.

To put this into perspective, I come from New Zealand. The population of NZ is around 4,600,000. So there are more PWDs in Uganda living in poverty than the total population of New Zealand. Thank goodness Disability Support Uganda is doing something to alleviate the problem.

Disability Support Uganda is working with PWDs at grassroots to alleviate poverty through events like Abilities 256.

Overcoming Stigma and Prejudice

See more of Sylvia's story and learn how stigma and prejudice are being overcome by positive action.

What is your attitude?

Is this boy a curse or a victim of people's attitudes? This is the story of Fred, a young boy in Uganda who was born with a cleft lip and palate.

Disabled Women's Rights

My Ugandan friend said: "We come from two completely different worlds," and added flatteringly, "yet you understand me." All I could think was that I try to understand.

My friend is very wise and I let her words guide me. I know very little about life in Uganda. This blog is about my journey. What I uncover is shocking.

I come from a country that gives rights to women and the disabled. These rights were largely fought for and won before I was born. I have lived in a world where I can expect rights. 

In Uganda the fight for rights for women and the disabled has only just begun.

Disability Rights Uganda

Faith Legum has an important message for the people of Uganda.

When you see a disabled person, please provide support. Don't despise the person. What God has created, you can never change. Me, who is singing, I don't even see. I am blind. I have sung for the rights of persons with disability. In this world, people are just struggling with life. Respect rights of persons with disability. If you see I am blind, don't steal from me. I am struggling for my life. AVSI, we thank you for supporting us. Even the government, we also thank you for supporting us. If you see a disabled person moving on the road, please don't despise. Disability is not inability."

Disability is not Inability

Today I was watching this video by the Kenyan disability rights activist Baba Gurston.

Let Baba Gurston speak.



This is his message.

No one is perfect in everything, in this way we are all handicapped.
Never say that disability is a curse.
Don't hide your disabled away.
Everyone has the right to education.
Take the truth I am saying, disability is not inability.
We can be together as One.