As Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Dwarfism Awareness Day on October 25, stakeholders are calling for more inclusive public infrastructure to promote accessibility and dignity for persons with dwarfism.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday October 20th, 2025, the State Minister for Persons with Disabilities, Hon Hellen Grace Asamo asked the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and other public stakeholders including banks, churches, salons, and schools to ensure that their premises have accessible pathways to accommodate persons with dwarfism.
This year’s International Dwarfism Awareness will be held under the theme: “Raising Awareness about Dwarfism and Promoting Inclusion of Little Persons in Uganda.”
“This day aims to create awareness about Achondroplasia, a genetic condition that leads to dwarfism,” Asamo stated.
According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, dwarfism occurs in approximately 1 in every 15,000 to 40,000 live births, in Uganda and currently over 194,000 individuals have been identified as persons with dwarfism.
She cautioned the public against stigmatizing individuals with such a condition.
Medically, dwarfism is typically characterized by disproportionately short arms and legs, compared to the head and torso. It is also associated with health complications such as sleep apnea, weak muscles, and skeletal abnormalities.
Minister Asamo noted that little persons with dwarfism continue to face structural and attitudinal barriers in daily life. She expressed concern about most city infrastructure which continue to hinder their everyday lives.
“Most public buildings lack ramps, low-level counters, or accessible toilets, while roads are often unsafe for persons with short stature due to high kerbs, poor pedestrian infrastructure, and a lack of adaptive mobility solutions,” Asamo said.
“This exclusion makes them feel like second-class citizens as though they are not part of society yet they are Ugandans like everyone else, deserving of equal access and dignity,” the Minister Asamo added.
The average height for individuals with dwarfism is approximately 4 feet 1 inch. However, while rare outliers may vary in height, Minister Asamo corrected misconceptions and reaffirmed that people with dwarfism lead full, productive lives many complete formal educations, get married, and engage in various professions.
The upcoming awareness day is expected to serve as a platform to amplify the voices of persons with dwarfism, promote equality, and encourage full participation in social and economic life.
