By Kabuye Ronald
The number of persons living with disabilities in Uganda is steadily increasing, underscoring the urgent need for disability-responsive policies, inclusive services, and targeted interventions.
According to the 2024 National Household Population Census Report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the disability prevalence rate has reached 13.6%, representing approximately 6.9 million people. This marks a significant rise from the 4.4 million recorded in the 2014 census.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) in Kampala ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the State Minister for Disability Affairs, Asamo Hellen Grace, acknowledged the government’s efforts to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. She noted that while progress has been made, persistent challenges demand sustained commitment to ensure full inclusion and accessibility.
The minister emphasized the need for continued implementation of inclusive government programs to guarantee that persons with disabilities benefit equitably from national development initiatives.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3, will this year be celebrated at the National Institute of Teachers’ Education (UNITE) in Mubende campus. The event will run under the theme “Wealth Creation Programmes: A Key to Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.”
His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, President of the Republic of Uganda, is expected to preside over the ceremony and brief the public on key government initiatives aimed at empowering persons with disabilities.
