The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) has officially concluded its landmark “We Are Able” programme, a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening land rights, food security, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.
Launched in 2021, the programme was implemented across five districts in the West Nile and Acholi sub-regions, targeting structural barriers that have historically excluded persons with disabilities from fully participating in Uganda’s socio-economic landscape.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, NUDIPU Executive Director Esther Kyozira described the initiative as a turning point in dismantling stigma and enabling equal participation for persons with disabilities in critical sectors such as agriculture and land ownership.
“For too long, persons with disabilities have been denied opportunities in land ownership and food security,” Kyozira said. “Through ‘We Are Able,’ we have proven that with the right support, they can contribute meaningfully to sustainable livelihoods.”
The programme established 30 disability-focused groups comprising over 260 individuals who were trained in savings, investment, and small-scale enterprise development.
Collectively, these groups saved up to shs10 million annually, signaling a significant shift from dependency to self-sufficiency.
A key focus of the initiative was securing land rights for persons with disabilities.
In partnership with the Ministry of Lands, the programme facilitated the issuance of over 200 freehold land titles, granting beneficiaries legal ownership and the ability to leverage land for farming and other income-generating activities.
Local government leaders played an instrumental role in the programme’s success, with district chairpersons providing support and mobilization at grassroots level.
Kyozira also acknowledged the programme’s implementing and development partners, including the Ministry of Lands, organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society organisations (CSOs), The Hague Academy, The Leprosy Mission, VNG International, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“This closure is not the end, but a beginning,” she noted. “It is a call to action to continue building inclusive communities and policies that promote dignity, independence, and opportunity for all persons with disabilities.”
Although the formal project phase has ended, NUDIPU stressed that the broader goal of disability inclusion remains an ongoing national priority. The organisation is urging continued investment in community-led, inclusive development initiatives.
The closure of the “We Are Able” programme comes as Uganda marks World Deaf Week, reinforcing the need for inclusive policies and programmes that reflect the voices and rights of all persons with disabilities.
