The Committee on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) publicized its list of issues for Ugandan government response before completing review of the government in April 2016.
The list of issues included inquires into Uganda’s plans to harmonize legislation where people with disabilities are concerned, and to introduce comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. It requested information from the government on whether rights of women with disabilities are mainstreamed into gender equality strategies and what concrete measures are available for women with disabilities to report violence and access courts. It also asked about equality before the law and measures in place to prevent involuntary institutionalization of persons with disabilities. Further, it queried the government on commitment in law to an enforceable right to inclusive education for children with disabilities.
These, and other questions, were influenced by the visit of a delegation of Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) to Geneva in early September 2015. On September 11, DPO representatives, led by the National Union of Persons with Disabilities of Uganda (NUDIPU), participated in an interactive dialogue with the Committee regarding conditions for people with disabilities. The delegates highlighted major rights challenges, including for marginalized sectors of the disability community. The delegation also participated in bilateral meetings with Committee members and other UN representatives in Geneva.
These meetings were enabled by a partnership between the Disability Rights Fund, the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund, and the International Disability Alliance, who together provided technical support to the Ugandan disability community, including towards production and submission of an alternative report, which outlined concerns in detail.
“As a follow up to the Ugandan DPO community’s hard work over several years on an alternative report…the delegation presented key highlights to the Committee about needs and gaps in law, policy and services for people with disabilities in Uganda,” said Diana Samarasan, the Disability Rights Fund’s Executive Director. “Their inputs to the CRPD Committee will ensure that there is positive change for persons with disabilities in Uganda.”