The partnership between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPD) is a significant step towards promoting inclusiveness and improving the provision of National ID and civil registration services for persons living with disabilities in Uganda.
According to the 2014 UBOS census, at least 12.4% of Uganda’s population has a recognised form of disability thus highlighting the urgency to improve accessibility and provide better services for individuals with special needs.
The Executive Director of NIRA, Rosemary Kisembo emphasized the importance of creating accessible communication materials, stating that “NIRA is going to design and translate communication materials which will make them accessible and user-friendly to the people with reading disabilities.
Kisembo also highlighted the need for a designated registration area at every center dedicated to enrolling persons with special needs, including the elderly and expectant or breastfeeding mothers.
The President of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), Moses Mulumba, commended the partnership, stating that “the efforts of NIRA in reaching out to people with disabilities and partnering with us to ensure that their services are accessible was a great initiative.
Mulumba also stressed the importance of providing specialised training to client-facing staff, adding that the staff need to be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to identify and manage people with disabilities.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the NCPD, Eunice Musiime, honored the initiative, stating that the partnership will undoubtedly ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the national identification process.
Musiime as well highlighted the importance of incorporating braille and tactile features on national IDs to enhance accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.
In addition to incorporating NCPD members and dedicating specific registration areas for persons with special needs, NIRA has also committed to procuring specialised registration equipment. This equipment will enable applicants with visual impairments to listen to the bio-data captured before it’s sent for processing, among other features.
These efforts demonstrate NIRA’s commitment to using innovative solutions to improve accessibility and provide better services for individuals with special needs.
The NIRA-NCPD partnership is a positive development that recognises the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. By improving accessibility and providing better services for individuals with special needs, NIRA is setting an excellent example for other organisations to follow.
It is vital that everyone continues to promote inclusiveness and accessibility for all, and this partnership is a step in the right direction.
By Desire Amanya
Communications Officer, Government Citizen Interaction Centre – State House.
