Ubuntu Disability Action for Development Uganda (UDAD-U) was founded out of a deep personal journey of struggle, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. It is a story of how personal experiences shape purpose, how discrimination fuels advocacy, and how compassion builds a movement.
A Childhood Witness to Discrimination
Gerald, the co-founder of UDAD-U, was born into a family that welcomed twin sisters shortly after his birth. However, from an early age, one of his twin sisters faced a harsh and unjust reality—she was visually impaired, and society, including some extended family members, did not see her as deserving of equal opportunities.
Despite his parents’ determination to give all their children equal access to education, they faced discouragement from relatives and members of the community who questioned why they should spend money educating a visually impaired child. They claimed it was a waste of resources, that she would never amount to much, and that those funds should instead be allocated to her twin sister, who had no disability.
Despite this discouragement, Gerald’s father stood firm. He believed in education as a right for all children, regardless of disability. He enrolled both twin sisters in school. However, the journey was not easy for his visually impaired sister. She struggled to navigate the school environment, often knocking over items that belonged to other students. Some teachers and classmates were insensitive to her needs, mocking her rather than supporting her.
One of the most heartbreaking moments came when she was forced to repeat a class due to her struggles with accessing educational materials. Her twin sister moved ahead while she was left behind. This was a heavy emotional blow, but she refused to give up. Through sheer resilience and support from Gerald and their father, she completed high school successfully and even secured a government scholarship to Makerere University, Uganda’s most prestigious institution of higher learning.
University Struggles and a Lifelong Commitment to Disability Inclusion
While at Makerere University, Gerald’s commitment to disability inclusion expanded beyond his sister. During his time on campus, he met Naphtali, a fellow student who was visually impaired. Naphtali faced significant challenges—inaccessible lecture halls, limited mobility, and a lack of assistive learning materials.
Makerere University, despite being one of the leading institutions in Africa, still lacked disability-friendly infrastructure. Naphtali often struggled to move from one lecture hall to another, as most buildings were not designed with persons with disabilities in mind. He also lacked adequate access to learning materials in Braille, making studying an uphill task.
Gerald, recalling his sister’s struggles, stepped in to support Naphtali. He spent hours reading and transcribing materials into Braille so that Naphtali could easily study. Gerald also assisted him in navigating the university campus, ensuring that he could access his lecture halls without struggling alone.
Through their friendship, Gerald saw firsthand the many barriers that persons with disabilities faced—from institutional discrimination to physical inaccessibility and social exclusion. It became clearer than ever that more needed to be done to bridge the gap and fight for inclusive policies.
The Birth of Ubuntu Disability Action for Development (UDAD-U)
With a shared vision for inclusion and advocacy, Gerald and Naphtali decided to co-found Ubuntu Disability Action for Development Uganda (UDAD-U). The organization was born with a mission to champion the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Uganda.
UDAD-U was founded on the principles of Ubuntu, which emphasizes humanity, compassion, and interconnectedness. The organization sought to create systemic change by advocating for policies, improving access to education and employment, and providing essential support services to persons with disabilities across Uganda.
Looking Ahead: The Future of UDAD-U
As UDAD-U continues to grow, its vision remains clear—to create a society where disability is not a barrier to achieving one’s dreams. The organization is committed to:
- Expanding its reach across Uganda to support more persons with disabilities.
- Strengthening partnerships with government institutions, international organizations, and the private sector.
- Pushing for stronger policy implementation and enforcement of disability rights laws.
- Empowering young leaders with disabilities to become advocates for inclusion.
Conclusion: A Journey of Hope and Transformation
What started as a personal commitment to supporting a sister and a friend has now transformed into a nationwide movement for disability rights and inclusion. UDAD-U stands as a beacon of hope, empowerment, and advocacy, ensuring that every person with a disability in Uganda can access education, employment, and social services without barriers.
Through resilience, advocacy, and collective action, Gerald, Naphtali, and the entire UDAD-U team continue to break down barriers, challenge discrimination, and build a future where persons with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of society.
At UDAD-U, we believe that disability is not inability, and together, we can create a more inclusive and just Uganda for all.