UGANDA PROFILES OVER 120,000 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HISTORIC DIGITAL INCLUSION MILESTONE

In a transformative stride toward equity, visibility, and inclusive development, the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), in collaboration with Eight Tech Consults Ltd., and with support from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has successfully profiled more than 120,000 Persons with Disabilities across Uganda. This achievement marks a defining moment in Uganda’s digital transformation Journey, a National effort to ensure that every Person With A Disability is seen, counted, and meaningfully included in National Planning, resource allocation, and service delivery. The profiling exercise is a central component of the ICT for Persons with Disabilities (ICT4PWDs) Initiative, a pioneering program using Digital Technology to bridge barriers and promote inclusion for all.

About the ICT4PWDs Initiative

The ICT for Persons with Disabilities (ICT4PWDs) Initiative is a National Digital Inclusion Program supported by the Government of Uganda through the  Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) through Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), implemented by NUDIPU in partnership with Eight Tech Consults Ltd.

The initiative focuses on:

• Enhancing digital literacy
• Increasing access to assistive technology
• Promoting inclusive innovation
• Empowering persons with disabilities to participate fully in Uganda’s social and economic development

Through hands-on digital training delivered nationwide, participants have learned accessible Technology Tools, Online Communication Skills, E-services access, Cyber safety, and device usage to strengthen digital inclusion.

The National Digital Observatory Empowering Through Data

Central to this initiative is the National Digital Observatory for Persons with Disabilities a pioneering, data-driven platform designed to store, manage, and visualize information about Persons with Disabilities across the country.

The Observatory functions as a one-stop Digital Hub, integrating data from schools, communities, and organizations to create a clear and inclusive National picture of Persons with Disabilities detailing their location, type of Disability, Education level, and specific support needs.

This platform enables data-driven decision-making, strengthens policy formulation, and allows Government and Development partners to deliver targeted, equitable services.

Importantly, the Observatory also supports self-registration, enabling individuals, families, and organizations to directly profile themselves through ict4personswithdisabilities.org/register.

This feature ensures that every Ugandan with a Disability has the power to self-identify, connect to opportunities, and access the support they deserve.

“For the first time, Uganda can clearly see its citizens with Disabilities, their strengths, their needs, and their potential. This is not just data collection; it is empowerment through visibility,” said Mr. Kisaame Samuel, Program Ambassador at Eight Tech.

Why This Profiling is Important and the Gaps It Is Addressing

For decades, Uganda has struggled without credible and comprehensive national data on persons with disabilities. This data gap created major barriers to effective planning, budgeting, and service delivery. Without clear information on who persons with disabilities are, where they live, and what they need, decisions could not accurately reflect the reality on the ground.

As a result, persons with disabilities were historically:

• Invisible in national development statistics
• Underrepresented in public programs
• Denied equitable resource allocation
• Limited in access to education, healthcare, employment, and assistive technology
• Excluded from emergency response and infrastructure planning

The current profiling initiative directly addresses these gaps by collecting high-quality, real-time, detailed information that supports government, OPDs, and partners to plan and implement meaningful interventions.

“In the past, the government could not accurately determine how many persons with Disabilities lived in Uganda or where they were located,” noted Dorah Luyiga, Personal Assistant to the ICT Project Focal Person.

“This made it extremely difficult to plan and deliver services fairly. Today, we have changed that reality. We now have verifiable data that drives real inclusion.”

With over 120,000 persons with disabilities to the National Digital Observatory, Uganda now has its most accurate disability dataset in history, enabling:

• Fair and targeted resource distribution
• Evidence-based national planning and budgeting
• Accountability in disability programming
• Stronger advocacy and reporting by OPDs
• Monitoring of progress and service impact
• Improved visibility, identity, and dignity for persons with disabilities

Above all, this profiling ensures that Persons With Disabilities are no longer invisible and that their needs are recognized at the highest levels.

Nationwide Reach and Strategic Collaboration

The profiling campaign reached communities across the country, from major towns to deep rural villages, working alongside Schools, Local Government Authorities, District Education Offices, OPDs, and Community Leaders.

Each profile represents a real life, a lived experience, and a renewed opportunity for inclusion and progress.

Human Stories that Inspire Change

In one case from Manafwa District, the profiling team met a primary school girl with a physical disability who could only attend school when neighbors contributed transport money. Her story reflects the resilience of persons with disabilities and the systemic barriers they continue to face.

“Behind every profile is a family, a journey, and a dream. This work goes beyond data it touches lives,” shared Wambi Simon, Inspector of Schools, Manafwa District.

A Call to Build an Inclusive Digital Future

The successful profiling of more than 120,000 persons with disabilities is not just a technical achievement; it is a moral and national commitment to equality and visibility.

As Uganda advances its digital transformation agenda, NUDIPU, UCC, and Eight Tech Consults Ltd. reaffirm their dedication to ensuring technology is a tool for opportunity, not exclusion.

“Through technology, unity, and inclusion, Uganda is proving that Disability is not Inability and no one should be left behind.”

NUDIPU calls upon all persons with disabilities, families, OPDs, communities, schools, service providers, and partners to join this national movement for visibility and empowerment.

🌐 Register or update your information today:

https://ict4personswithdisabilities.org/register

➡ Be Counted. Be Connected. Be Included.

Because when identity is recognized, opportunity follows.