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; increased income, better mobility/transport, more access to education, health and employment . 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 believes that to achieve Dignity for Every Person with Disability, PWDs need to be empowered economically. Society recognizes those who are economically well off. 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.

 Disabled, HIV Positive but with great hopes

Bugembe Dick is a 50 year old PWD with six children who stays in Kimanya-kyabakuza division Masaka District. In 1990s Dick was appointed as a Manager of Kihihi Petro Station in Kanungu district, Western Uganda where he chased each and every beautiful lady that he came across until 2004 when he left and came back to Masaka. In 2007, Dick started falling sick and he sold all his property including a motorcycle in preparation for his death. It was not until his friends who came to see him and advised him to go for HCT that he gained hope. Dick went to Medical Research Council where he tested HIV positive. He was shocked about the results but he was referred to TASO for counseling services.

When the NUDIPU HIV/AIDS project started in Masaka District, he was selected to be part of the trainees for the PWDs HIV/AIDS peer counseling by TASO under the support of the NUDIPU HIV/AIDS project. During the training, Dick declared his HIV sero-status to members and started living a positive and fulfilling life.

After the training, Dick left with a vision to start an Association for PWDs infected and affected by HIV/AIDS to demonstrate the usefulness of the training and to help those affected.

Dick mobilised other members and in June 2009, Masaka Disabled Persons living with HIV/AIDS (MADHIPA) started with great support from MADIPU, DRO and TASO Masaka. The association started with 5 members who were receiving services from TASO and the membership has since then increased.

The association advocates for the rights of PWDs living with HIV/AIDS in Masaka district and particularly in ensuring that they access HIV/AIDS services.The association has received shs.3,000,000 from the Disability Special Grant to start an Income Generating Activity for the members.