Uganda to Mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities With Focus on Wealth Creation

Uganda will join the rest of the world on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), reaffirming its commitment to disability inclusion, economic empowerment, and the protection of rights.

In a statement issued ahead of the national celebrations, Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hon. Hellen Asamo, emphasised the country’s steady dedication to recognising the contributions, rights, and needs of Persons with Disabilities since the United Nations proclaimed the day in 1992.

Hon. Asamo noted that the annual commemoration is not only a time to celebrate achievements but also an opportunity to reflect on persistent gaps, raise awareness, and mobilise action to advance the dignity and well-being of Persons with Disabilities.

This year’s national theme, “Wealth Creation Programmes: A Key to Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities”, underscores the importance of economic inclusion in breaking cycles of poverty and strengthening independence.

According to the National Household Population Census Report (UBOS 2024), Uganda’s disability prevalence stands at 13.6%, representing approximately 6.9 million people. Hon. Asamo said this demographic reality calls for stronger inclusive policies and targeted interventions.

She added that while Persons with Disabilities continue to excel as workers, innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs, many still face barriers such as discrimination, limited access to education and employment, inaccessible infrastructure, and inadequate financial services.

“These challenges limit their participation in the money economy and hinder their full benefits from national development initiatives,” she said.

The minister outlined several ongoing government programmes that have significantly improved livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities:

National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities: Since FY 2019/2020, the government has invested UGX 42.5 billion in 8,739 groups, benefiting more than 65,000 households engaged in enterprises like poultry, agriculture, tailoring, and trade. Over 83% of beneficiaries can now afford basic needs, including healthcare, education, and food.

Parish Development Model (PDM): The Government allocated 10% of the PDM revolving fund to Persons with Disabilities and introduced a UGX 500,000 top-up for each beneficiary to support reasonable accommodation in enterprise activities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Centres: Five centres and a sheltered workshop continue to equip youth with disabilities with employable skills. Since 2022, 780 graduates have been certified and provided with startup kits.

Financial Inclusion: UBOS data indicate that 45.1% of Persons with Disabilities are now able to save money, a positive trend toward inclusion in the money economy.

Ongoing initiatives also include the standardisation of Uganda Sign Language, the development of the National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Strategic Plan (2025–2030), and the expansion of surgical and rehabilitative services to regional referral hospitals in Jinja and Mbarara.

Despite progress, the minister acknowledged alarmingly low participation of Persons with Disabilities in key national livelihood programmes. Research indicates that only 0.4% benefited from the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), 0.9% from NAADS, 0.4% from Operation Wealth Creation and EMYOOGA, and 0.5% of women with disabilities benefited from UWEP.

She attributed the low numbers to negative perceptions, inaccessible programme facilities, financial illiteracy, and limited disability-responsive communication.

This year’s national celebrations will be held at the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE), Mubende Campus, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to preside. Key expected outcomes include: increased public awareness on disability inclusion and prevention, better understanding of PDM reasonable accommodation and top-up grants, launch of the National Anthem for Persons with Disabilities, national review of the NSG-PWD to strengthen district-level implementation, and launch of PDM top-up guidelines and disability inclusion guidelines for child protection.

Activities will include exhibitions, a health camp, a Persons with Disabilities march, and several speeches.

Hon. Asamo extended gratitude to President Museveni for his unwavering support toward disability inclusion. She called on all Ugandans to “embrace compassion, strengthen accountability, and promote meaningful participation of Persons with Disabilities in all development efforts.”

She encouraged citizens to follow the national events through radio, television, and social media.