The National Population and Housing Census Report 2014 by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) reveals that persons with disabilities aged two years and above makeup 12.4% of Uganda’s population, about 5.8 million people. This percentage has increased due to various causes, and Uganda must ensure that it includes this population to achieve an inclusive digitalized society.

Despite Uganda’s progress in the use of ICT, persons with disabilities still face significant obstacles to accessing information through digital technology. This is due to barriers related to affordability, usability, and availability. As a result, they are denied opportunities and struggle to live independently in society. Therefore, ICT skills like essential ICT hardware operation, typing, document creation, and safe use of the internet and computers are crucial skills in today’s technology-driven world.

In 2020, the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) granted the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) and Eight Tech Consults Limited (8Tech), a technology partner, a three-year inclusive ICT project for persons with disabilities. The project aims to enhance knowledge management, ICT adaptation, digital skills, and access to e-services for persons with disabilities. The project has already yielded significant results in just two years of implementation.

As we commemorated UCC’s 25 years of existence, we recognize the strides made in promoting ICT access for all, including persons with disabilities. We can only hope that the future will bring even more significant advancements in this regard, as we continue to work towards a fully inclusive digital society.