Uganda’s progressive disability policies remain challenged by limited inclusion in everyday life. With millions of citizens living with disabilities, the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda, together with the Uganda Media Women’s Association, has provided training for journalists aimed at reshaping how disability stories are told. The initiative seeks to amplify voices too often unheard and ensure that persons with disabilities are represented with dignity and accuracy in the media.

‎Despite being legally recognised and represented through affirmative action policies, it is argued that inclusion for Persons with Disabilities remains limited in practice. Uganda has one of Africa’s more progressive disability frameworks, with estimates showing that between 12% and 13.2% of Uganda’s population lives with a disability, translating to roughly 5 to 7 million people.
In a bid to promote inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), in partnership with the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), convened a workshop for journalists drawn from various media platforms. The training focused on equipping reporters with knowledge and skills to better highlight disability issues, ensuring that persons living with disabilities are meaningfully represented in both society and the stories told about them.

Esther Kyozira, Chief Executive Officer of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), outlined the daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities. She stressed that these realities underscore the urgent need to amplify their voices and strengthen advocacy for greater inclusion.
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Ms Laila Ndagire, Project Officer at the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), underscored the absence of a strong voice for persons living with disabilities. She noted that the training would empower journalists across different fields to report more effectively on issues affecting PWDs, thereby amplifying their visibility and inclusion in public discourse.

She further emphasised the responsibilities expected of journalists, noting that such practices would lead to more accurate and impactful reporting, particularly when covering stories about persons living with disabilities.