The National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU) is seeking a thorough analysis of the disability statistics from the recent National Population and Housing Census, citing concerns that the results do not accurately reflect the prevalence of disabilities in the country. 

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) latest census report reflects that 5.7% of Uganda’s 45.9 million population is disabled, a significant decline from 12.4% in 2014.

The Executive Director of Show Abilities Uganda, an organization under NUDIPU, Betty Cheptoek, has expressed concerns over the reported decline, calling the numbers erroneous. 

Notably, the 2014 census did not capture data on persons with albinism, those with hearing challenges or individuals with epilepsy, while the latest census included a broader range of disabilities.

According to Cheptoek, this expanded data collection should have led to an increase, not a decrease, in reported disabilities.

Furthermore, Cheptoek highlights that the report lacks district-level statistics on disability prevalence, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the situation. 

By Francis Lubega

15 Oct 2024

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