On 21 and 22 October 2026, Albinism Umbrella, with support from the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda and its partners—the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda, and the Embassy of Ireland held two community dialogues in Pokwero Sub-County, Pakwach District, and Nebbi Sub-County, Nebbi District. The dialogues brought together persons with disabilities and community leaders, including religious, cultural, opinion and district leaders, to promote disability inclusion, challenge harmful myths and misconceptions, and strengthen community participation in addressing the barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
During the discussions, participants highlighted several challenges affecting the full participation of persons with disabilities in their communities. These included limited accessibility to essential service points such as schools, health centres, police stations and places of worship. Participants also raised concerns about inadequate access to information on government programmes, which continues to contribute to poverty and vulnerability among persons with disabilities. The persistence of myths and misconceptions surrounding different types of disabilities was another key concern, highlighting the need for continued community sensitisation and awareness.
Church leaders, police officers, health workers, teachers and other community leaders committed to taking practical steps within their respective institutions and communities to promote disability inclusion. Participants also pledged to raise awareness about disability and challenge misconceptions within their communities.
However, discussions with the police revealed an additional challenge regarding accessibility. Police officers noted that their premises are rented, limiting their ability to make structural modifications to improve accessibility. This highlighted the importance of continued engagement with property owners and relevant authorities to ensure that public service facilities are accessible to all.
The community dialogues in Nebbi and Pakwach reaffirmed the importance of engaging local leaders and persons with disabilities in identifying barriers and developing solutions that respond to their needs. Through these engagements, Albinism Umbrella continues to support efforts to promote disability rights, strengthen community awareness and encourage inclusive service delivery.
Inclusion is a shared responsibility. By working together, communities can challenge harmful attitudes, improve accessibility and create environments where persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in all aspects of life.
These conversations mark an important step towards building communities where no one is left behind.
Last modified: October 29, 2026
