Build an inclusive future for kids with disability

Building an inclusive future for Children with disabilities in Uganda

Background

Every child has the right to reach their full potential, and disability inclusion is a fundamental human rights issue. In Uganda, an estimated 12.4% of the population lives with a disability, with the majority residing in rural areas where access to healthcare and rehabilitation services remains extremely limited. The demand for rehabilitation is particularly urgent in regions with fragile healthcare infrastructure and scarce resources, posing significant challenges for persons with disabilities to access the support they need. (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2019; WHO Africa, 2012).

In western Uganda alone, more than 41,000 children aged 2-17 live with a disability and face multiple barriers, including poverty, stigma, high rates of paternal abandonment, discrimination and exclusion from early learning opportunities that are essential for early growth and development. Thus,

restricting their full participation often has a knock-on effect on family members, negatively impacting families' economic circumstances. Only 9% of Ugandan CWDs enrol in primary education, and those who manage to attend often face exclusion, struggle to progress and end up dropping out, limiting their future opportunities.

More than 7,500 children's quality of life and long-term potential have been enhanced by the talented team of rehabilitation therapists and special education teacher-trainers that Kyaninga Child Development Centre (KCDC) has assembled over the previous ten years. KCDC, which covers an area of more than 1,000 km2, is the sole facility in the western region offering specialised treatment to children with disabilities. It is acknowledged on a national level as a centre of excellence for inclusive education, rehabilitation, and disabilities. This is why we made the decision to build our centre in order to improve the health and education of Ugandan children with disabilities.

Construction Update

We are thrilled to share exciting updates as we continue to build a brighter, more inclusive future for children with disabilities. Thanks to your generous support, the first half of 2025 has been filled with hope, progress, and tangible results.

One of the most exciting milestones has been the construction of our new sensory classroom block. 

We are also excited to share that construction of our main school building is well underway, and the structure now has a completed roof! This is a major step forward in expanding access to inclusive education. Once finished, the building will house multiple classrooms and teacher training resource areas.

We are incredibly grateful to you for walking alongside us in this journey. Your donations directly support construction, resources, health and inclusive education for children who would otherwise be left behind.

There is still much to be done, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you soon.

Links:

• KCDC 2025 Issue 1 Newsletter