The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), in partnership with various Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), has urged the Government of Uganda to fulfil its outstanding commitments ahead of the upcoming Global Disability Summit (GDS) scheduled for April 2–3, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Bukoto, Kampala, Esther Kyozira, the CEO of NUDIPU, emphasised the urgency of action from the Government, particularly regarding pledges made during the 2018 and 2022 Global Disability Summits, many of which remain unimplemented.
“For this third Global Disability Summit, we are calling on the Government to fast-track the implementation of previous commitments,” Kyozira said. “It is crucial that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development strengthens coordination with the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies responsible for the Global Disability Summit (GDS) agenda.”
Kyozira stressed the importance of including disability-specific commitments in national budgets and planning cycles, adding that the implementation gap undermines Uganda’s progress toward disability inclusion and human rights.
“We urge Government MDAs to prioritise planning and budgeting for the said commitments. Inclusion is not just a promise—it must be reflected in policy and action,” she added.
The Global Disability Summit, now in its third edition, is an international platform that galvanizes global efforts toward realizing disability inclusion. Co-hosted this year by the Government of Germany, the Government of Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the summit brings together high-level stakeholders including governments, development partners, civil society organisations, OPDs, academia, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations.
The summit aims to assess progress, share innovations, and accelerate actions towards a more inclusive and accessible world for the over one billion persons with disabilities globally.
NUDIPU’s call comes at a critical time as the global community prepares to convene in Berlin to evaluate how far countries have come in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities since the inaugural summit in 2018.
“This is not just a global moment—it is a national responsibility,” Kyozira concluded. “Uganda must not lag behind in ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, protected, and fulfilled.”
