Uganda's Budget Needs to Move Beyond Tokenism for Persons with Disabilities

Uganda has established a legal framework that champions the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, including the Constitution and the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2020. Despite these advancements and the presence of disability representation at various governance levels, a critical review of the 2026/2027 national budget reveals a persistent gap between policy and practice.

The budget highlights the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, a commendable initiative providing support. However, the author, Ambrose Murangira, argues that this grant, while offering survival assistance, does not equate to genuine inclusion. Persons with disabilities are frequently categorized as recipients of social protection, rather than being recognized and supported as farmers, students, entrepreneurs, workers, and contributors to the economy.

This approach risks perpetuating new forms of exclusion in key development areas. In education, simply enrolling a child with a disability is insufficient without providing necessary accommodations like sign language interpreters, braille materials, or accessible digital tools. Similarly, in agriculture, significant investment is channeled towards the sector, yet specific provisions for farmers with disabilities in extension services, mechanization, or credit schemes are notably absent.

Wealth creation initiatives, including PDM and Emyooga, also face challenges. If mobilization efforts are not accessible, information is not provided in appropriate formats, or local leaders do not actively ensure participation, these programs risk leaving persons with disabilities behind, despite their inclusive labeling. The push for digital transformation similarly necessitates accessible platforms, websites, and services to prevent a digital divide.

True inclusion demands a dual strategy: mainstreaming persons with disabilities into all national programs while also funding specific disability-focused interventions. This includes allocating resources for reasonable accommodations, accessible infrastructure, and inclusive communication. Although the budget is approved, ministers can still direct that ministries actively target persons with disabilities in their current fiscal year’s objectives, aiming for a modest but impactful 10 percent inclusion, reflecting the national prevalence rate.

Implementation and accountability are key. Parliament, various commissions, and organizations of persons with disabilities must collaboratively assess the tangible benefits and barrier removal for this group. The focus should be on building systems that work for everyone, moving beyond symbolic gestures to substantive integration. This article is based on reporting by the Daily Monitor.