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Uganda National Action on Physical Disability(UNAPD) was established in 1998 to serve as a platform for voicing concerns of Persons with Physical Disabilities (PWPDs) so as to realize a barrier free environment and thus enable them enjoy their rights to the fullest. Currently UNAPD has 42 registered Member District Associations of Persons with Physical Disabilities and recognised by the local governments as CBOs with over 8734 individual members.
UNAPD is also an umbrella organisation of persons with physical disabilities in Uganda. Due to diversity in physical disability categories, with UNAPD mobilization and empowerment strategies, several categories of persons with physical disabilities have grown into their own organisation to effectively advocate for the specific needs of their members. These are: Spinal Injuries Association Uganda (SIA-U), The Arthritis Association of Uganda (TAAU), Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism (FPAD), Umbrella Cerebral Palsy Network Association (UCPNA), Brian Injury Association Uganda (BIAU), Sickle Cell Association of Uganda (SAU). These Organisations of Persons with Physical Disabilities are members of UNAPD.
UNAPD is committed to the principles of aggregation of the interests and amplification of the voices of its members and this provides a sound philosophical base upon which the organisation provides national-level leadership for concerns of PWPD.
UNAPD is an active member of the disability movement in Uganda and an effective vehicle in articulating issues and concerns of PWPDs within the general civil society and country at large.
At the national level, UNAPD is a member of NUDIPU – the umbrella organisation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda. We also hold membership of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), the National NGO Forum and the Forum of Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU).
The UNAPD national board is presently composed of nine members (4 Females and 5 Males of which one is a representative for youth and Women). The BOD has a term of office of 4 years and is elected by the general assembly which brings membership from each district.
Over the years, the strategic core of our programming has expanded beyond addressing the individual PWPD interests directly. UNAPD now has substantive interventions to mobilise, strengthen and link the PWPDs’ advocacy and solidarity platforms, working and campaigning with them to challenge the structural and systemic barriers that PWPDs face, through an intermediate layer of member-driven initiatives within a rights based framework. This holistic approach in Uganda has seen the UNAPD footprint planted at the national and regional levels while it supports lower-level interventions through its membership.
The organizational activities are implemented by the secretariat team of 9 staff (4 Females and 5 Males) and of these staff, 6 are PWPDs. UNAPD secretariat office is located on plot 459 Namasole Road, Kanyanya off Gayaza Road in Kampala. We have a long-term aspiration to procure our own office premises when resources allow.
Our Mission
UNAPD exists “To advance member efforts in removing barriers that prevent PWPDs from enjoying their rights through advocacy, capacity building and networking”
Our Vision
UNAPD envisions “A society where persons with physical disabilities live in dignity”.
Our Values
Our core values are the fundamental ideals at the heart of the work that we do at UNAPD. Our Core values reflect what is truly important to the organization. These values are the basic principles that guide the internal relationships, operations as well as relationships with the beneficiaries and stakeholders. The UNAPD team and stakeholders reflected on the core values and maintained the following:
Professionalism: We cherish openness in whatever transpires in the organization and the lives of persons with physical disability. We aspire to live to the highest standards of personal honesty and behaviour, we never compromise our reputation and always act in the best interests of PWPDs.
Diversity: We believe and promote inclusion. We recognise & embrace our physical differences and appreciate human diversity. We celebrate who we are; different, resilient and capable.
Human dignity: We believe in respect and we do not discriminate any one on grounds of having different disabilities.
Equality & Equity: UNAPD recognizes that an individual with physical disability is a “person first” before the disability which makes a strong foundation for the equitable participation and treating everyone the same. We ascribe to the well embraced notion of “Nothing for us without us” hence we are committed to giving PWPDs what they need to be successful.
Our Mission:
To advance member efforts in removing barriers that prevent Persons with Physical Disabilities from enjoying their rights through advocacy, capacity building, and networking.
Our Vision:
A society where Persons with Physical Disabilities live in dignity.
Our Values
Our core values are the fundamental ideals at the heart of the work that we do at UNAPD. Our Core values reflect what is truly important to the organization. These values are the basic principles that guide the internal relationships, operations as well as relationships with the
beneficiaries and stakeholders. The UNAPD team and stakeholders reflected on the core values and maintained the following:
Professionalism:
We cherish openness in whatever transpires in the organization and the lives of persons with physical disability. We aspire to live to the highest standards of personal honesty and behaviour, we never compromise our reputation and always act in the best interests of PWPDs
Diversity:
We believe & promote inclusion. We recognise & embrace our physical differences & appreciate human diversity. We celebrate who we are; different, resilient & capable
Human dignity:
At Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) We believe in respect and we do not discriminate any one on grounds of having different disabilities
Equality & Equity:
UNAPD recognizes that an individual with physical disability is a “person first” before the disability which makes a strong foundation for the equitable participation and treating everyone the same. We ascribe to the well embraced notion of “Nothing for us without us”
Our Theory of Change (ToC)
Our theory of change is driven by our vision statement which envisions “A society where persons with physical disabilities live in dignity” This is the highest aspiration we want to see changed and happening for PWPD’s in Uganda. Moreover, UNAPD has been operational for over 22 years and therefore we have accumulated sufficient wealth of experience in planning and programming on physical disability. We are therefore clear about what problem and priorities on physical disability we are working to address and what we as PWPD want to change and how that change should come about. In developing our theory of change (ToC) we counted on the lessons we learnt through the implementation of previous projects, including insights we garnered from previous research and the evaluations done on past projects. Furthermore, our TOC is informed by evidence based development models that have been tested and proven to work.
We therefore believe that the journey to the realization of a dignified life for PWPD commences “If we build the capacity of district associations and organizations of PWPDs, they will be able to effectively advocate for the rights and interests of their individual members at the lower local levels. If UNAPD expands and deepens its partnerships, networks and linkages with like-minded stakeholders, then together we will be able to create forums for joint advocacy and resource mobilisation. This will lead to amplified voices articulating the interests of PWPDs and ensuring they are mainstreamed into local and national development programs. This will lead to improved compliance with key legal frameworks and provision of a conducive environment, responsive to the interests of PWPDs. And consequently all these multiple interventions will impact on the ability of PWPDs to enjoy independent and dignified lives”.
Our Theory of change is premised on the following key assumptions which we shall continuously interrogate for validity:
- Government and civil society leaders will increase appreciation, understanding and efforts towards disability inclusion.
- International development partners will continue to prioritize and lead change related to inclusion.
- PWPDs will be recognized for their ability to participate and contribute to development.
- Community appreciation and understanding about disability rights will improve.
- Efforts to achieve disability inclusive societies will cover rural, urban and other countries.
- Resources will be provided by government or development partners to implement interventions on physical disability.
Quick Links
Contact
- Plot 459, Namasole Road
- Kanyaya, Gayaza Road,
- P. O. Box 959, Kampala
- +256 (0) 414 692403
- info@unapd.org
