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Disability
is not Inability |
:: THE NATIONAL UNION OF DISABLED PERSONS OF UGANDA,
"FOR A FULL PARTICIPATION"
As a result of the activities of the International Year of Disabled
Persons of 1986, the Persons with Disabilities of Uganda recognized
the importance of forming an umbrella organization to champion
the slogan of "FULL PARTICIPATION". They realized the
importance of coming together in order to advocate and lobby for
full participation in the affairs of the country.
NUDIPU, the first disability umbrella organization in
Africa
The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) was
formed in November 1987 by associations of different categories
of disability, who resolved to unite all Ugandan with disabilities
for a common cause. NUDIPU was the first of its kind in Africa.
NUDIPU is a national umbrella organization composed by home-grown
disability associations, which are non-governmental, autonomous
and voluntary in nature. It brings together all categories of
disability and is registered in the Ministry of Internal Affairs
as a national NGO.
NUDIPU was formed to create a unified voice of persons with disabilities
in order to advocate for equalization of opportunities, involvement
and participation in policy planning and implementation of disability
programs in close cooperation with the government, non-governmental
organizations and the general public. One of its principal aims
is to influence the provision of services in favour of disabled
people in Uganda.
Bringing strength to the national organisations
NUDIPU is comprised of District Unions of people with disabilities
in all the 56 districts of Uganda. Being an umbrella organization,
it does not deal directly with individual persons, but can provide
information and guidance to individuals regarding appropriate
groups or associations to join.
It also advises on the formation of new groups and can assist
such groups to grow into fully-fledged associations. NUDIPU collaborates
with its associate member organizations such as: Uganda National
Association of the Deaf, Uganda National Association of the Blind,
Mental Health Uganda, National Union of Women with Disabilities
of Uganda, Uganda Parents Association of Children with Learning
Disabilities, etc.
NUDIPU's objectives:
• To mobilize people with disabilities to form groups and
organizations for collective action.
• To influence the legislation in favour of disabled people.
• To improve on the social and economic situation of people
with disabilities through lobbying for employment opportunities
and access to income generating activities.
• To promote and influence the delivery of services to
people with disabilities through networking and collaboration
with government and other non-governmental organizations.
• To raise awareness on needs, problems, limitations, potentials
and rights of people with disabilities so as to change society's
negative attitudes.
The programmes:
To achieve its objectives, NUDIPU develops several programmes:
1. Advocacy and lobbying:
This program entails policy influence, disability mainstreaming
and equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities.
2. Networking and collaboration:
NUDIPU works with the Government at both national and local levels,
with non-governmental organizations and other institutions, for
purposes of collaboration, information sharing and joint advocacy.
3.Capacity building:
Capacity building entails training of leaders of people with disabilities,
to equip them with relevant skills for effective management of
their organizations.
4.Gender and development:
The program involves AIDS education, family planning, legal and
gender training of Resource Persons, and awareness creation.
5. Assistive devices:
NUDIPU does not directly provide appliances but cooperates with
and influences service providers to provide such devices to deserving
people with disabilities at subsidized rates.
6. Economic empowerment:
This aims at promoting equitable and sustainable participation
of people with disabilities in small-scale enterprise through
self-employment. The intervention involves building the capacity
of disabled people to improve on their entrepreneurship skills
and efficient management of their own income generating activities.
7. Research and documentation:
This is designed to undertake research in various areas on disability,
compile and document empirical data and create awareness. The
research unit works closely with Members of Parliament and Councillors
representing people with disabilities, District Unions and other
stakeholders.
What achievements for people with disabilities in Uganda?
The mobilization of a great number of people with disabilities
has lead into the creation of 56 districts cross-disability coalitions,
which are now affiliated to NUDIPU. District Unions in turn have
1000 sub-county associations as affiliates.
Moreover, thanks to an intense lobbying campaign, disabled people
are today represented by five Parliamentarians in the National
Parliament.
There are 47, 000 Councillors with disabilities, from village
to District Levels. Among the councillors, 50% are women with
disabilities.
NUDIPU also lobbied successfully for the establishment of a Department
for Disability and Elderly Affairs, headed by a woman, member
of the Parliament for People with disabilities and State Minister
in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
People with disabilities in Uganda have been appointed to positions
of authority such as a Minister of State, Resident District Commissioner
and presidential Adviser.
A Secretary for disability and elderly has been created at Local
Council level. Persons with disabilities are also self- represented
on District Service Commissions, Accounts Committees and Tender
Boards.
An important achievement for NUDIPU has been raising awareness
on disability issues in Uganda. As a result, disability is being
viewed as a sector among other sectors in Uganda.
NUDIPU has influenced change within the Government and the NGO
sector, and it is now consulted for the organization of relevant
program for people with disabilities.
Work towards the political institutions
Due to its work, the outside sees Uganda as a country that has
done a lot for persons with disabilities. It hosts offices for
East African Region for Disabled People International (DPI) and
has a large representation on people with disabilities in its
political institutions. Efforts are being made to establish National
Council on Disability.
The representation is a result of NUDIPU's intense work lobbying
the members of the Assembly to entrench provisions in favour of
people with disabilities, in the 1995 National Constitution.
Within the Parliament, the MPs representing people with disabilities
have made great strides in the areas of legislation, lobbying
and advocacy, awareness creation and mobilization of disabled
people to participate in Local Government Councils.
Considerable progress has also been made in the areas of training
Councilors and leaders for people with disabilities, advancing
women issues and networking with donors to support programs in
their constituencies.
The achievements are reflected in the increased numbers of Acts
of Parliament with disability provisions, the increased representation
of people with disabilities in Local Government Council, Accounts
Committees, Tender Boards and District Service Commissions.
On the other hand, the Uganda Parliament has been positive in
responding to the special needs of the Members of the Parliament
who are disabled. Today, there are two Guides and Interpreters
to help the MPs with hearing and visual impairment; the buildings
have been made accessible and MPs are allowed to go with their
assistive devices in the Chambers, which was not the case in the
past.
Challenges ahead
The MPs performed well during their first term, as indicated
by the number of laws they influenced in favour of People with
disabilities. However there is much more to be done within the
Parliament. There is need to press for a comprehensive policy
on disability which will provide a basis for various laws on disability
discrimination, employment, transport, housing, health, etc.
The other major challenge ahead is in the year 2006, when the
Parliament will be required to review the policy of affirmative
action in favour of the vulnerable group's representation in the
Parliament.
This is a Constitutional provision. If the Parliament believes
that the special interest groups (people with disabilities, youth,
women, workers and army) do not require any further affirmative
action, then it will no longer be necessary to have special representation
of people with disabilities in the Parliament.
[Source: European Disability Forum Bulletin]
Category: Community
policy
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