Is Uganda accessible for all? A look at persons with disabilities
Laws like the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020 require public institutions to ensure buildings, transportation, and services are accessible to all.
Every day, millions of Ugandans navigate bustling streets, public buildings, schools, and hospitals. But for persons with disabilities, this simple task often turns into a daunting challenge.
Despite Uganda’s commitment to inclusive development, many public spaces remain inaccessible, forcing some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens to face physical, emotional, and social barriers daily.
As we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it’s time to take a closer look at Uganda’s public infrastructure. Are we truly building an inclusive society, or are persons with disabilities still left behind?
Uganda ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2008, pledging to promote accessibility and remove barriers to inclusion.
Laws like the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020 require public institutions to ensure buildings, transportation, and services are accessible to all.
But how well is this being implemented? A visit to several public spaces in Kampala reveals a mixed picture.
A Walk Through Kampala: Stories from the Ground
At a government office in the town of Kampala, 28-year-old Sarah Nabukeera, a wheelchair user, finds herself stranded at the entrance of a building with no ramp in sight.
The security guard offers to carry her up the stairs, a gesture she appreciates but one that highlights the lack of structural support for persons like her.
“I want to access public services independently,” Nabukeera says. “Relying on someone to lift me strips away my dignity. It’s frustrating because the law says there should be ramps and elevators, but where are they?”
In contrast, a few kilometers away, the newly renovated Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) building boasts wide ramps, elevators with Braille buttons, and accessible restrooms. This is a beacon of hope for people like James Mukasa, who is visually impaired.
“Here, I can move around confidently,” James says. “I wish more public spaces followed this example. It’s not just about infrastructure—it’s about giving us a sense of belonging.”
Public Transport: A Roadblock to Inclusion
Transportation is another major hurdle. For many persons with disabilities, navigating the chaotic public taxis system is nearly impossible. Maria Atuhaire, who has a mobility impairment, recounts how she once waited three hours at a taxi stage because no driver was willing to help her board.
“The taxis are cramped, and there’s no space for wheelchairs,” Maria explains. “Boda bodas are risky, and buses rarely stop long enough for me to get on. I often have to rely on expensive private hires.”
Efforts like the Accessible Transport Project by NGOs are making strides by introducing low-floor buses and sensitizing drivers, but these remain limited to a few routes in Kampala.
Whereas education is the key to empowerment, but without accessible schools, many children with disabilities are left behind. In rural areas, schools often lack basic amenities like ramps, accessible toilets, and sign language interpreters.
Headteacher John Kyambadde of Bright Future Primary School in Mukono District admits, “We want to enroll more children with disabilities, but our infrastructure is a challenge. We need more funding to build inclusive facilities.”
Some schools, however, are leading the way. Inclusive Education Uganda has transformed several schools, providing assistive technology, teacher training, and modified classrooms. These initiatives are proving that with the right investment, inclusive education is achievable.
While Uganda has made commendable progress, significant gaps remain in ensuring public spaces are truly accessible. Advocacy groups like the Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) continue to push for stricter enforcement of accessibility standards and increased funding for inclusive infrastructure.
“There’s no excuse for inaccessibility in 2024,” says Grace Nassozi, a disability rights advocate. “Accessibility is a human right, not a privilege. We need to prioritize it in our national budget and development plans.”
As we commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let this be a call to action for government officials, architects, urban planners, and the general public. An inclusive society benefits everyone.
