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.

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.

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