The Uganda Rural Development and Training Institute today held an engagement meeting with the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) and the Kagadi District Union of Persons with Disabilities at the Kagadi District Council Hall in Kagadi.
The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of the Sustainable Inclusive Youth Employment Pathways (SIYEP) program, particularly in mobilizing young women with disabilities to participate in skilling opportunities in Kagadi District.
During the meeting, stakeholders noted that the mobilization team has so far managed to mobilize young women with disabilities representing an average of 5% of the project’s overall target. In the current cohort, out of the 430 young women mobilized, only 12 were young women with disabilities, falling below the targeted number of 21 participants.
Following the review, the team agreed on a number of strategies aimed at strengthening mobilization efforts ahead of the next cohort. These include resuming active utilization of the free airtime on KKC Radio and Paradigm FM in Kagadi, increasing engagement during community gatherings, strengthening collaboration with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) structures at sub-county level, and working closely with community leaders to identify and mobilize eligible young women with disabilities.
Participants at the meeting also highlighted that despite the low numbers, the 12 young women with disabilities currently enrolled in the program are active, committed, and eager to learn.
Speaking during the meeting, Kobugenyi Grace, the Epicenter Manager for Kagadi, highlighted some of the achievements registered by URDT, including creating a conducive learning environment for young women with disabilities, employing a disability inclusion focal person, and continuously mobilizing young women to join the program.
She also acknowledged that there had been challenges arising from poor communication among members of the district union. However, she noted that plans are underway to improve coordination and communication mechanisms to ensure smooth implementation of the program.
Ngozi Stephen, the PWD Focal Person for Kagadi District, applauded URDT for intentionally including persons with disabilities in its skilling initiatives. He observed that such opportunities have been limited in the district despite the growing need for empowerment among persons with disabilities.
He explained that while there have been previous efforts to mobilize persons with disabilities for specialized programs, inadequate access to reliable data has remained a major challenge. He added that acquiring updated data from NUDIPU would greatly strengthen mobilization efforts and improve participation.
Ngozi further encouraged the district union to activate its subscription with the national union to increase access to opportunities from both government and non-governmental organizations. He also appealed to NUDIPU to continue supporting district unions through trainings and seminars, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration.
Alex Muwonge, the Disability Inclusion Lead at URDT Institute, emphasized the need to understand and cater for all categories of persons with disabilities within the SIYEP program.
He noted that all persons with disabilities are eligible to participate as long as they are willing and able to learn. He added that URDT plans to involve role models in mobilizing young people and to strengthen awareness creation mechanisms across communities in the district.
Meanwhile, Deus Turyatemba, the lead representative from NUDIPU, encouraged members to intensify the mobilization of young women with disabilities so they can acquire skills, transition into work, and earn sustainable livelihoods.
He stressed that promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities is everyone’s responsibility and assured stakeholders that NUDIPU would continue offering all necessary support to district unions and implementing partners, including URDT, to ensure the project achieves its intended targets.
