Uganda: Platform launched to promote inclusive higher education for students with disabilities

A persistent challenge for inclusive education in East Africa

Access to education for persons with disabilities remains a major challenge in Africa, particularly in the eastern region of the continent. High school dropout rates among this population are evidence of the many obstacles that need to be overcome.

In response to this issue, Kyambogo University in Uganda hosted the first East African Conference on Inclusive Higher Education for Persons with Disabilities on November 13 .

An initiative in partnership with Norway

Organised in collaboration with the Norwegian Disability Association , the main aim of this conference is to create a platform for dialogue . It aims to identify and share innovative strategies to strengthen accessibility and inclusivity in higher education.

The event brings together various key players, such as:

• University officials,
• Researchers,
• Student representatives,
• And other stakeholders in the education sector.

The importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals , particularly SDG 4, which aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for all. However, the East African sub-region still lags far behind in terms of educational inclusion.

According to a UNICEF report published in 2023, titled “Mapping and Roadmapping Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities in Eastern and Southern Africa ,” the challenges include:

• Low rate of children with disabilities completing primary and secondary education.
• The growing risk of inequalities in higher education for this population by 2030.

Conclusion: A step towards a more equitable education

The Kyambogo conference marks a crucial milestone in the fight for inclusive education in East Africa. By facilitating the sharing of experiences and the development of solutions, it paves the way for significant progress in ensuring greater accessibility to higher education for students with disabilities.