About Us

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 PWDPs face, through an intermediate layer of member-driven initiatives within a rights based framework. This Holistic approach in Uganda has seen UNAPD footprint planted at the national and regional levels while it supports local level intervention through her membership.

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. At the national level, UNAPD is a member of NUDIPU – the umbrella organisation of 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). In addition, UNAPD has signed partnership agreements with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) and the Buganda Kingdom.

The UNAPD national board is presently composed of nine members (4 Females and 5 Males of which one is a representative for youth). The BOD has a term of office of 4 years and is elected by the general assembly which brings membership from each district. The organizational activities are implemented by the secretariat team of 15 staff (7 Females and 8 Males) and of these staff, 6 are PWPDs.

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.

We Educate & help poor people

Transmax is the world tr we uphold industry Cu stomer Oriented

We Educate & help poor people

Transmax is the world tr we uphold industry Cu stomer Oriented

We Educate & help poor people

Transmax is the world tr we uphold industry Cu stomer Oriented

We Educate & help poor people

Transmax is the world tr we uphold industry Cu stomer Oriented

Our Structure

UNAPD comprises three organs, namely the General Assembly, the Board of Directors and the Secretariat.

General Assembly

This is the supreme governing body, responsible for formulating policy and safeguarding the organisation. Among other tasks, the General Assembly elects the Board of Directors, reviews the Constitution, considers any amendments thereto, and considers plans and reports from the Board. The General Assembly comprises delegates from the 40 District Member Associations of Persons with Physical Disabilities and Founder Members, ensuring a regional balance as well as women and youth representation

The Board of Directors

This is the executive authority, responsible for monitoring, coordination of activities and implementation of decisions and policies made by the General Assembly. UNAPD has a board of 9 members with experience in legislation, policy development, financial management and implementation of programmes.

Secretariat

This is the executing organ of policies and decisions made by the Board. It is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization, and manages the organization’s projects and programmes. The Executive Director heads the Secretariat, and he/she reports to the Board of Directors.

Our Theory of Change (ToC)

UNAPD's Theory of Change is guided by its vision of "A society where persons with physical disabilities live in dignity." Drawing on over 20 years of experience and evidence-based approaches, UNAPD believes that empowering district associations, strengthening partnerships, and promoting collective advocacy will amplify the voices of Persons with Physical Disabilities (PWPDs). This will influence policies, improve inclusion in national and local development, enhance compliance with disability rights frameworks, and create an enabling environment where PWPDs can live independent, inclusive, and dignified lives.

Our approach is built on the belief that:

The Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) is a national membership organization dedicated to advocating for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of Persons with Physical Disabilities in Uganda