SOUTH AFRICA AND UGANDA STRENGTHEN COOPERATION ON DISABILITY INCLUSION

By Precious Mupenzi.

• A high-level delegation from Uganda is currently in South Africa to benchmark the country’s systems that have been put in place to promote inclusion for people with disabilities.
• The delegation is being hosted by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Social Development.
• Uganda is looking to learn from South Africa’s targeting, registration, grant payment, and case management systems to enhance its own disability inclusion framework.

South Africa and Uganda have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing disability inclusion and strengthening social protection systems across the African continent.

The South African government, through the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, is hosting a high-level delegation from Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, led by Asamo Hellen Grace.

The five-day benchmarking visit, from 5 – 9 October 2025 in Pretoria, focuses on disability inclusion, social protection programmes, and effective service delivery models that promote equality and social justice for persons with disabilities.

Why Uganda chose South Africa

Uganda selected South Africa as a model because of its comprehensive and inclusive social protection system, which provides support throughout the life cycle and demonstrates best practices in reaching vulnerable groups.

South Africa’s Disability Grant provides income support to adults with disabilities, while the Care Dependency Grant assists caregivers of children with severe disabilities from birth to 18 years.

These programmes are inclusive of citizens, permanent residents, and refugees, reflecting South Africa’s strong commitment to equity and human dignity.

Through this visit, Uganda seeks to learn from South Africa’s targeting, registration, payment, and case management systems to enhance its own disability inclusion framework and to design a child disability benefit.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2024), 13.6% of Ugandans aged five and above have some form of disability.

While Uganda has made strides through the Persons with Disabilities Act (2020), the National Social Protection Policy (2015), and the National Social Protection Strategy (2024), only 2.8% of the population currently benefits from any social protection programme.

Children with disabilities remain among the most underserved, with current initiatives often underfunded and fragmented.

The benchmarking mission is therefore expected to help Uganda develop a unified social protection registry, strengthen its disability management information system, and establish national guidelines to promote disability inclusion across government.

‘A shared vision for inclusion’

Addressing delegates in Pretoria on the third day of the visit, Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, spoke about Pan-African solidarity, shared values, and mutual growth.

“It is only through concerted national efforts and regional cooperation with like-minded countries like Uganda that we can build a world where persons with disabilities are valued, empowered, and able to fully participate in all aspects of life,” said Hendricks.

He explained that South Africa’s approach to disability rights is guided by evidence-based policymaking, drawing from the 2022 Census, which revealed that there are approximately 3.3 million South Africans with disabilities.

While notable progress has been made in policy development and access to services, Hendricks acknowledged that socio-economic barriers continue to limit full participation and inclusion.

“The socio-economic status and living arrangements of persons with disabilities are shaped by a complex interplay of societal, economic, and individual factors. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that promotes inclusivity, accessibility, and social justice,” he said.

Collaboration in the spirit of the African Charter

The Deputy Minister noted that the benchmarking visit aligns with the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls for African nations to share experiences and strengthen institutional cooperation to uphold human rights and dignity.

He also emphasised that the timing of the Ugandan visit is significant, coinciding with Social Development Month, a period dedicated to showcasing the department’s work and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

“This month allows us to reflect on our interventions and strengthen partnerships that help us improve the lives of vulnerable groups,” he added.

The Deputy Minister commended Uganda as one of South Africa’s steadfast partners within the African Union, noting that the two nations are bound by shared values of Pan-Africanism, gender equality, and mutual respect.

“Together, we must and can combat barriers such as stigma and discrimination, and ensure meaningful engagement by persons with disabilities and organisations representing them,” he said.

Towards a more inclusive continent

Hendricks expressed optimism that the lessons shared during the visit would deepen cooperation and lead to tangible progress in advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities across Africa.

“Our collaboration today lays the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous continent where no one is left behind. We must continue to learn from one another, share innovations, and build systems that protect and empower every citizen,” he said.