The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), is an indigenous umbrella NGO of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), formed in November 1987. It brings together all categories of disabilities including the physically, sensory and mentally impaired people. NUDIPU exists to promote the equalisation of opportunities and active participation of PWDs in mainstream development processes. This is pursued through participation in policy planning, capacity building, awareness enhancement and resource mobilisation.

We believe that the position of disabled people in society is a human and civil rights issue and that society must be changed to allow our full inclusion. The development needs of disabled people do not differ from the rest of the population. Our main focus is to promote Non-discrimination, full and effective participation of PWDs in mainstream development programs, accessibility to physical infrastructure and information and to influence legislations in favour of PWDs.

NUDIPU's Strategic Direction 2008-2013

NUDIPU embarked on the development of a 5 year strategic plan for 2008-2013. The plan addresses the current and future priorities of the organisation.

With support from Abilis Foundation, APT UK and NAD persons with disabilities have been supported to start income generating activities. Disabled Persons Organization Denmark has also supported NUDIPU to mobilize and build the capacity of PWDs to influence service provision at the lower local levels more especially access to finance, agricultural equipments and services from government and other development partners. DFID Uganda has over the last two years supported Disability and Human Rights Program of NUDIPU aimed at addressing human rights abuses among persons with disabilities.

NUDIPU CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda on 14th November 2007 marked 20 years of her existence. The organization which started from a humble beginning has grown to be nationally and internationally recognized as an advocacy organization for the rights of persons with disabilities. The rationale of forming NUDIPU was to have a unified voice for people with disabilities in Uganda and to embark on a systematic struggle to free persons with disabilities from bondage that reduced them to sub-humans.

Key milestones

• November 14th 1987 NUDIPU was formally launched at a meeting/seminar of 17 associations of PWDs with various disabilities that gathered at Mbarara-Tukole Invalids’ school.
• In 1996, 5 members of parliament representing PWDs were elected. This marked a beginning of a serious struggle to influence laws and policies in favour of PWDs. Since then, the struggle has yielded disability friendly legislations the challenge that lies ahead is ensuring that they are fully implemented read more...

NUDIPU awards prizes to winners of the essay competition on Disability and Discrimination
The winners of the essay competition on disability and discrimination were awarded prizes on 15th July 2008 at the National theatre, Kampala. 238 students from over 60 schools participated in the essay competition. Ms. Kirabo Bridget of Maranatha High School- Kampala won her self one million (1,000,000) shillings from NUDIPU.  read more...