As Uganda prepares to mark International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) on June 13, 2025, the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is calling for urgent action to uphold justice, equity, and human rights for persons with albinism.
Addressing the media ahead of the commemoration, Hellen Grace Asamo, the Minister of State for Disability Affairs, emphasized that the event serves as a vital platform to reaffirm Uganda’s global commitment to promoting the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with albinism in all spheres of life.
“International Albinism Awareness Day is more than a ceremonial date; it is a national and global reminder of the need to ensure full participation of persons with albinism in social life and national development,” Asamo stated.
She noted that persons with disabilities constitute a significant portion of Uganda’s population, citing the 2024 Census report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), which recorded 6,059,515 persons with disabilities, including 78,876 individuals with albinism.
Since the establishment of IAAD in 2015, Uganda has made considerable progress in raising public awareness and advocating for the rights of persons with albinism. Among these efforts is the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Albinism, which provides a strategic framework for both state and non-state actors to address human rights concerns and implement inclusive programs.
“We have seen increased public understanding, better advocacy, and growing support,” Asamo said. “The National Action Plan offers clear guidance for planning and action to tackle the challenges facing the albinism community.”
She also highlighted the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, an affirmative action program that has delivered tangible benefits. Since 2019, the initiative has supported 7,422 enterprise groups, reaching 55,799 households and disbursing a total of UGX 36.2 billion.
Despite these achievements, Asamo acknowledged that persons with albinism in Uganda continue to face significant hurdles. These include heightened vulnerability to skin cancer, widespread stigma and discrimination, violence, economic exploitation, low education levels, high unemployment, and limited data on their specific needs.
Albinism is officially recognized under the Persons with Disability Act, 2020, as one of the eight disability categories listed in Schedule 3.
This year’s national commemoration of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) will take place in Mukono District under the theme “Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives.” The event will be officiated by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga.
As the country prepares to mark the day, the government reiterates its call to all stakeholders to join efforts in creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable society for all persons’ with albinism.
