Disability refers to physical, mental, or sensory impairments that limit a person’s daily activities. Unfortunately, in Uganda, People With Disabilities (PWDs) often face significant barriers when seeking justice.
For many, accessing police services or navigating the legal system is nearly impossible without adequate support, particularly for those who rely on sign language or other forms of interpretation.
One critical issue is the lack of intermediary interpreters at police stations and courts. These interpreters help bridge communication gaps between victims, particularly those who are disabled, and law enforcement or judicial authorities.
Without their services, many disabled victims of gender-based violence, especially girls and women who have been sexually abused, experience delays in getting justice.
In some cases, justice is denied altogether due to the absence of skilled interpreters who can ensure these vulnerable individuals are properly heard and represented.
An intermediary interpreter is a person who is deaf or hard of hearing and has special training in the legal system. They are skilled in sign language and visual communication, helping bridge the gap for people with hearing disabilities.
While sign language is recognised in Uganda’s constitution, Agnes Aseriat, founder of Reach a Voice Uganda (RUVU), points out that the lack of support and funding to train police officers and judicial staff in sign language remains a major obstacle for deaf youth and adolescents with disabilities seeking justice.
She adds that although organisations capable of providing sign language training exist, they are unable to proceed due to insufficient funds. This training is essential to making legal officials more inclusive and aware of the needs of people with disabilities.
Aseriat also highlights a common misconception that using sign language is embarrassing or a sign of ignorance, when in fact it is a unique and valuable form of communication.
This stigma discourages many from learning it, making access to justice even more difficult for the deaf community.
“There’s a lack of interest in learning about the different types of disabilities, and each survivor of violence needs to be handled based on their unique needs. This depends on their education level and exposure,” says Charity Ameede, a board member at Reach a Voice Uganda (RUVU).
She states the need for police and the judiciary to understand how to assist people with visual impairments and give special attention when handling their cases.
Ameede also highlights that the deaf community is often excluded from government programs. She mentions that many deaf individuals lack proper guidance and crucial information about these initiatives.
“We already face social isolation where we live, feeling stressed with no one to talk to. I only learned about sexual reproduction after joining a deaf school, but many of my peers were misled into sexual abuse, thinking it was just a game.”
Tony Ayina, a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) officer from NUDIPU, stresses that disabilities should be integrated into mainstream government programs, saying, “If not, the marginalisation of people with disabilities will persist. Many organisations that supported us, particularly in regions like Karamoja, are pulling out. The government assumes most of us rely on donations, which makes it difficult for us to advocate for ourselves.”
AIP Kennedy Katabaazi, a sign language expert for Uganda Police and GBV Investigator at CID Headquarters, adds that the government needs to create independent programs for people with disabilities instead of relying on NGOs, as these organisations are often the ones violating their rights.
“Many have been sexually abused, forced into marriages, and had their rights completely ignored,” says Rose Achayo, Chairperson of the National Union of Women with Disabilities Uganda (NOWODU). She stresses the urgent need to strengthen support systems for women with disabilities.
Achayo points out that when disabled individuals report cases of gender-based violence (GBV) to the police, instead of receiving help, they are often questioned about how they ended up in marriage or abusive situations due to their disability.
She stresses that women’s rights movements should include disabled women in their efforts, rather than isolating them as if they should handle these issues on their own.
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