Govt Teams Up With Local NGO to Launch Disability Strategic Plan in Nakivale

What the report says

Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has launched the National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (NRAT) Strategic Plan 2026–2030 in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion. According to Nile Post, the plan was unveiled this week at Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District and is designed to expand disability inclusion, strengthen rehabilitation services and improve access to healthcare and assistive technology for refugees and nearby host communities.

The initiative will be carried out through the Health, Empowerment and Rehabilitation Teamwork (HEART) project, with a stated focus on more than 5,600 people, including 540 persons with disabilities. The article says the programme will also support economic inclusion and reach communities around Nakivale, one of Uganda’s main refugee-hosting areas.

Officials and disability advocates cited several obstacles that the plan is meant to address. These include the high price of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches, limited repair and maintenance services, and weak data on the number and needs of persons with disabilities. The plan includes regional warehouse hubs intended to store, service and repair equipment closer to beneficiaries, reducing transport time and costs.

Nile Post also reported that government is preparing a broader assessment programme for people with disabilities and is working with the Ministry of Health to refurbish orthopaedic workshops at referral hospitals. The launch reflects continuing efforts to improve support systems for persons with disabilities, though implementation will depend on funding, data collection and service capacity.