Many times people with disabilities are excluded from participating in mitigation and adaptation efforts to challenges confronting them. This is often due to the lack of a defined framework for their engagement. Our efforts focus on people with disabilities exploring whether they might be the most effective at modeling a better approach or framework for their engagement in issues that confront them.
Following the global commitment to prioritize the needs of vulnerable people most affected by adverse changes, including people with disabilities, the lack of a defined framework for their engagement has challenged efforts to fully involve these vulnerable groups as first-line responders to the challenges they face. Multiple pieces of evidence reveal that people with disabilities remain excluded from development processes, financial inclusion, climate challenges, and others due to the absence of clear pathways for their participation. Instead of relying on the government to define the framework, our efforts start with people with disabilities themselves, asking whether they might be the most effective at modeling a better approach or framework for their engagement in issues that confront them.
To be a benchmark for contemporary disability organizations, characterized not by our weaknesses, but by our commitment to empower and support individuals we serve, enabling them to succeed.
To empower people with disabilities through creation, lobbying, and advocating for inclusive and equitable access to opportunities to enable them to achieve their full potential.
Democratic Member Control: We believe in the importance of democratic decision-making processes where members actively participate in shaping the direction and priorities of our organization.
Civic Responsibility: We recognize our responsibility to contribute positively to society, and we believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute, and no one is too disabled to make a contribution.
Education, Training, and Information: We believe that education, training, and access to information are essential pillars of empowerment.
Autonomy and Independence: We believe that all people have the right to live independently and make informed decisions that impact their lives.
Trustworthiness: We believe in transparency, honesty, and accountability, fostering relationships built on mutual respect, integrity, and genuine commitment to the cause.
Founder and Chairperson
Head of Training Programs
Innovation & sustainability Lead
Training Coordinator
Gorreti Byomwire (Ms)
Naluyima Concepta (Ms)
Allan Kabaale
Patrick K Mawaali
Hassan Wadimba
United Persons with Disabilities (UPDS) was established in 2020 by Harunah Damba who, despite his hearing and physical disabilities, leads a distinguished career as a biomedical scientist.
Through firsthand observation, Harunah witnessed the marginalization encountered by people with disabilities in the workplace, often resulting in limited opportunities. He established United Persons with Disabilities to unite people with disabilities under a common mission of self-transformation.
The organization furthers this mission by bringing people with disabilities together, providing training, mentorship, and resources to enhance their contributions to society. This approach is guided by the belief that no one is too disabled to contribute; given the right support structures and resources, everyone can.
Since its establishment, the organization has trained and mentored over 1,000 people with disabilities in social entrepreneurship and has established networks to support them in critical areas such as financial inclusion, Climate change, policy advocacy, and health promotion. This includes the establishment of savings and credit cooperative societies that further the entrepreneurial dreams of individuals with disabilities; the launch of the Journeys to Inclusion campaign; the Disability Employment Quota dialogue series; and the Employment-first Policy and Practice Course.
