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About Us

Uganda National Association of the Blind is a non-profit organization that brings together all blind and partially sighted persons in Uganda..

Historical Background.

Uganda National Association of the Blind is an indigenous non government organisation (NGO) registered with the Uganda NGO board and registrar of companies No.S.5914/559 and 45785 respectively.  

The organisation (UNAB) was founded way back in 1970 as a unified voice by the blind and partially sighted persons who for a long time had faced the challenges of discrimination, marginalisation and stigmatisation by the predominantly sighted society.

Following the political and economic trends in the country from 1970 to date UNAB similarly underwent the winds of change to suit the blind and partially sighted.

 

Vision & Mission

Persons with visual disability face a unique set of challenges in their daily lives, as they must navigate a world designed for those with sight

01.
Vision

To have a self-sustaining Association of empowered persons with visual impairment, enjoying equal opportunities in society.

02.
Mission

To better the quality of life of the visually impaired persons in Uganda regardless of sex and age through advocacy, networking, capacity building and model service provision.

04.
UNAB's Values

Justice
Equity
Excellency
Transparency
Unity
Communicating loud to the blind.
Dignity for all.
Love for one another.
Using braille at all times
Respect for the whitecane.

03.
Objectives

To ensure the provision of quality services to all blind persons of Uganda.
To advocate for equalisation of opportunities of blind persons of Uganda.
To provide capacity for the empowerment of all blind persons of Uganda.
To serve as a leading expert knowledge provider on issues pertaining to blindness.
To network and collaborate with indigenous and international partners on development issues related to blind people.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE.

i) General Assembly: It’s the supreme policy making body. Convening once every after four years comprising three delegates from district associations of the blind i.e., one male, one female and youth. ii) Board of Directors: comprises of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, and Treasurer, Women’s representative, youth representative then regional representatives elected on a gender balance basis. The board which serves a four years term of office is elected by the General assembly. Standing committees: in order for the board to carry out the specific role effectively it divides into standing committees i.e., Management, Finance, Personnel, Women, Youth committees. iii) Secretariat: Appointed by the board of directors as an implementing body of policies and decisions. It’s headed by the Executive Director.

WHAT DOES UNAB DO? (ACTIVITIES)

i) Advocacy and lobbying.
ii) Community Based Rehabilitation .
iii) Functional Adult literacy in Nabumali (Mbale district).
iv) Parents programme.
v) Capacity building
-Empowerment training for district executive committees and other blind leaders.
-Hi- Tech project; this entails training employable blind persons with computer skills in order to effectively compete in the job market.
vi) Special programmes for women and youth. (HIV/AID) reproductive Health and rights)
vi) Support towards economic empowerment of blind persons.
vii) Mobility and orientation.
viii) Recreation activities like sports and music.
ix) Agricultural skills training for the blind and extension workers.
x) Support to schools in form of provision of tools such as Braille papers and writing equipment.

Membership

i) Full membership of UNAB is the district association of the blind who pay both annual and subscription fee as determined by the General Assembly from time to time. ii) Associate membership are organisations/or individuals interested in the welfare of the blind and partially sighted persons who also pay both annual and subscription fees as determined by the general assembly from time to time. iii) UNAB membership by constitution recognises both gender and youth representation at all levels of leadership. iv) UNAB is also a member of National Union of disabled persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU), Development Network of Indigenous NGOs (DENIVA), UNAB’s women’s committee is a member to National Union of Women with Disabilities in Uganda (NUWODU) and National Association of Women in Uganda (NAWOU). Internationally it’s a member to African Union of the Blind and World Blind Union.

UNAB’S CAPACITY

Skilled and well experienced board.
ii) Trained and skilled human resource.
iii) Assets i.e., land for development, office equipment e.g., computers, transport
iv) Visible projects i.e Nabumali Training and Resource Centre of the Blind, Buwagongo daily farm, Hi-Tech project at Kireka
v) Group initiatives i.e. Balita logy development group of the blind in Luwero district, Mawotto association of the blind in Mukono, Soroti handcraft in Soroti district, Lira Multipurpose association of the blind, Blind but Able in Kampala.
vi) Strong unity within UNAB membership.

Achievements And Challenges From Inception To Date

ACHIEVEMENTS.

i) Mobilisation of the blind and formation of district associations of the blind in 97 districts of Uganda. This has led to empowerment of blind resource persons in the 50 districts.
ii) Construction of a permanent building which is used as the office for the association.
iii) Maintaining a good image of the Association leading to Donor confidence and cordial working relationship with government and none governmental organisations.
iv) Expansion of programmes and acquisition of new partners in development making it possible to reach more blind persons at the grass roots.
v) Many blind persons being elected on political structures of government as a result of advocacy and empowerment programme of the association.
vi) The advocacy backed up the networking and collaboration with stakeholders has led to enactment of blind friendly laws and policies of government e.g. Tax free braille equipment, additional points for blind youth to join University and recognition of the Whitecane in Uganda’s Traffic and Road Safety Act.
vii) In 1999 and 2015 UNAB hosted the African forum.
viii) In 1996-1997 UNAB participated in implementing the Mobility and Rehabilitation Project sponsored by Tambartun Resource Centre.
ix) In 2004 UNAB opened way for blind students to join Primary Teacher Colleges with or without passing Mathematics.
x) In 2004, UNAB changed NUDIPU’S constitution which opened way for the blind to take the position of chairmanship/President.
xi) Increase of UNAB membership.

CHALLENGES.

i) Inadequate resources to effectively implement the programmes of the Association; i.e. The construction of resource centre for the blind in Uganda, branch development, youth training programmes, HIV/AIDS, sports and recreation etc
ii) Lack of braille equipment such as braille paper and machines.
iv) The persistent negative attitude of the public towards blind persons hence requiring more advocacy and awareness raising.
v) Lack of spare parts for the braille equipment within the country.
vi) The high cost of braille equipment and other assistive devices to blind persons due to the fact that they are not locally produced.
vii) Unfavourable curriculum to blind persons, especially in the setting of examination and teaching of mathematics. vii) Low education level of the blind in the country.
viii) High drop out rate of the blind from schools due to lack of fees.