The Judy
Heumann
Foundation
Uganda
“Change never happens at the pace we think it should.
It happens over years of people joining together,
strategizing, or sharing, and each other’s lives that
create the vision of what is possible.”
— Judy Heumann, Global Disability Rights Activist
Rooted in Resilience
JHF Uganda was born out of a profound need for systemic change in Uganda, particularly in the rural regions of the country.For example, following decades of civil conflict in nothern Uganda where the region faces unique challenges where disability is
often intersectional with poverty, trauma, and lack of infrastructure.
Acholi Sub-region
In Gulu and surrounding districts, we focus on rebuilding lives for those who acquired disabilities during the conflict, ensuring they are not left behind in the post-war development era.
Lango Sub-region
In Lira and neighboring areas, our efforts target educational barriers and socio-economic empowerment, creating sustainable pathways for the youth with disabilities.
Our founding story is inspired by the global disability rights movement led by Judy Heumann. We adapt those
universal principles of “Nothing About Us Without Us” to the local context of Uganda, ensuring our
leadership reflects the community we serve.
Our
Vision
A society where all persons with disabilities in Uganda enjoy full human rights, equal opportunities, and inclusive participation in all spheres of life.
Our Mission
Our
Motto
"For Inclusion. For Equality."
Reflecting the core values of inclusion and equality
Impact Area | Expected Results | Success Indicators |
|---|---|---|
Access to Legal Information Knowledge and Justice. | Increased legal representation in court especially in criminal cases. Faster disposal of cases involving persons with disabilities. Increased knowledge of the law and legal information. | 65% increase on access to lawyers by persons with disabilities from the current 2%.
60% reduction in delay or endless adjournment of cases involving persons with disabilities from the current 78%.
25% increased reduction in crimes and disputes involving persons with disabilities.
60% increase in knowledge about rights of persons with disabilities. |
Inclusion | Enactment of policies that enhance promotion of rights of persons with disabilities. Increase in access to assistive technologies. Construction and modification of easily accessible buildings. | Introduction of assistive devices and technologies in public service areas.
Removal of taxes on importation and manufacture of assistive devices.
68% reduction of physically inaccessible buildings in Uganda. |
Economic Empowerment | Increased employment of persons with disabilities. Increased self-dependency of persons with disabilities. | 48% reduction in unemployment of persons with disabilities.
56% reduction of number of persons with disability living below 1 dollar a day. |
Why We Exist
- Because persons with disabilities are often denied justice due to inaccessible systems
- Because courtrooms lack interpreters, braille, and physical accessibility
- Because stigma continues to silence voices and delay justice
- Because post-conflict communities still carry unaddressed trauma and exclusion
- Because equality must be lived, not promised
- Because dignity, justice, and inclusion are fundamental human rights
