In a community of over 20,000 persons with albinism living in Uganda, I can declare that it has been a life tussle of survival but finally there is a shade of light at the edge after a long contest of preaching about awareness and sensitizing the community about the albinism fraternity. Persons with albinism have long fought discrimination [lack of inclusion] and violence from the society at large.
According to world reports, albinism occurs at a ratio of 1: 5000 in Sub Saharan Africa with estimates of 1,400 people being affected in Tanzania and prevalence as high as 1,000 reported for select populations in Zimbabwe and for other specific ethnic groups in Southern Africa. Reports on spatial mapping research on persons with albinism carried out by Albinism Umbrella 2021 categorizes poverty, ritual sacrifice, sight, stigma and skin as the major challenges affected by persons with albinism in Uganda.
Over the past few years, significant efforts have been taken towards addressing discrimination against persons with albinism, the most important being the recognition of albinism as a form of disability by the 2020 Act of Persons With Disabilities. This legally opens up opportunities for planning, support and protection of rights of persons with albinism from the Government.
On December, 28th 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day in an effort to stop the brutalities against persons with albinism.
According to Ms. Namutebi Olive the Executive Director of Albinism Umbrella, negative community perceptions towards people with albinism still exist in Uganda. Studies carried out in the Busoga sub-region show that up to today, giving birth to a child with albinism is associated with shock and rejection in many communities although some communities show empathy and accept such new-born babies. With such perceptions still in place, it is very difficult for persons with albinism to be engaged in meaningful livelihood activities such as farming and business.
A number of milestones by different organizations within and outside the country and the government at large have been put up to try and stop violence and discrimination among persons with albinism which have somehow been successful.
This year 2022, the International Albinism Awareness Day 13th June came with a greater achievement which is National Action Plan that was launched by the Minister of State for Disability Affairs Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace to better the welfare of persons with albinism in Uganda.
According to Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace the National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism provides a framework for both State and Non-State Actors to undertake interventions aimed at ensuring full inclusion of persons with albinism, addition of sunscreens on the National Essential Drug list and disaggregation of data on persons with albinism in terms of implementation of the Action Plan.
Different programmes have been put in place to alleviate poverty among persons with albinism for instance government is going to provide grants to organized Groups of Persons with Disabilities to start income generating activities and is also implementing the Parish Development Model which provides funds for enterprise development at the Parish with allocated funds of 10%.
We call upon the community at large to continue sensitizing to each other about equality and non-discrimination and also be advocates for the rights of Persons with Albinism.
Related resources:
- Speech by Ms. Olive Namutebi, Chairperson NAP Steering Committee on the international albinism awareness day and the launch of the national action plan on albinism.
- Speech by Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace, Minister of State for Disability Affairs on the occasion to commemorate the international albinism awareness day.
- Remarks by Mr. Robert Kotchani, the Country Representative United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Uganda international albinism awareness day commemoration & launch of the national action plan for persons with albinism in Uganda.
- Download Hon. Asamo Hellen’s speech.
- Download Mr. Robert Kotchani’s speech.
Last modified: January 8, 2024
