THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

PRESS STATEMENT

ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LITTLE PERSONS ON 25th October, 2025


BY

HON ASAMO HELLEN GRACE (MP)
MINISTER OF STATE FOR DISABILITY AFFAIRS


MINISTRY OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT


Members of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities
Representatives of Organisation of Persons with Disabilities
The Distinguished Members of the Media
Fellow Country Women and Men

1.1I am delighted to address you today on the forth coming commemoration of the International Day of Little Persons under the theme: “Raising Awareness about Dwarfism and Promoting Inclusion of Little Persons in Uganda”.

1.2Every year on October 25, International Dwarfism Awareness Day celebrates little persons. The day is used to create awareness for achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes dwarfism.

1.3Achondroplasia means “without cartilage formation.” It occurs in one in every 15,000 to one in 40,000 live births. According to the Uganda National Housing and Population statistics (2024), there are over 194,271 with 89,102 males and 105,169 females’ persons aged 18 and above who are Little Persons. Those who have this condition are called Little Persons. Other preferred ways to refer to those with achondroplasia include Little People or Persons with Short Stature or Persons Affected by Dwarfism.

1.4Dwarfism is characterized by having short arms and legs in comparison to the head and trunk. Weak muscle tone, sleep apnea (sleep disorder causing irregular breathing and snoring patterns, leading to severe exhaustion and various health risks), and spinal stenosis (happens when the space inside the backbone is too small) are also sometimes present. The average height of men with dwarfism is 4 feet, 4 inches. The average height of women with dwarfism is 4 feet, 1 inch. Most persons with dwarfism have a final height of 4 feet 10 inches or less.

1.5While some Little People still face physical and social barriers, many go on to lead fulfilling and active lives. Many with dwarfism drive, complete their education, get married, and even have children of their own. There are also many famous people with dwarfism. These famous people include actors, entertainers, comedians, musicians, athletes, and politicians. Who knows ‘Sarah short’

Why commemorate the Day

1.6This day is used to create awareness on the importance of promoting equality and full participation of Little Persons in social life as well as development.

1.7Commemorating the International Day for Little Persons provides a vital platform to amplify their voices and recognize their capacities and contributions.

1.8The primary objective of this day is to enhance public understanding of dwarfism its causes, characteristics, and management while dispelling myths and reducing stigma. Increasing awareness fosters a culture of respect and dignity toward persons of short stature.

1.9Equally important is the call to promote their full inclusion in all aspects of society. This entails ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and social services by eliminating the social, physical, and systemic barriers that hinder their participation. Upholding inclusion affirms their right to live with dignity, to contribute meaningfully to national development, and to enjoy all fundamental human rights.

1.10Through this commemoration, we reaffirm Uganda’s commitment to building an inclusive society, where all persons with disabilities including Little Persons are valued, empowered, and fully integrated as equal members. It is only through sustained awareness and deliberate inclusion that we can advance their welfare and uphold their rights in our nation.

1.11 I want to remind Ugandans that Schedule 3 of the Persons with Disabilities Act (2020) provides for 8 disability categories or impairments. These include the following:
Physical Disability
Hearing disability
Visual disability
Deaf and blind disability.
Mental disability
Little people.
Albinism.
Multiple disabilities

What Government has done

1.12The Government of Uganda is committed to fostering an enabling environment for Little Persons through inclusive policies and programs that guarantee equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

1.13Our legal frameworks, including the Constitution and the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020, uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and mandate stakeholders to provide specialized support where needed.

1.14The Revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities prioritizes protection against discrimination and neglect, while promoting improved communication, healthcare access, and social inclusion tailored to individual needs. Since ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, Uganda continues to uphold full participation and non-discrimination of little persons

1.15In education, the Government has implemented affirmative action to increase enrollment and retention of children and youth affected by short stature in both mainstream and special education settings, facilitating access to tertiary institutions. The Ministry of Health provides specialized services, including early diagnosis and targeted care, to improve well-being.

1.16Economic empowerment programs, such as the National Special Grant and the Parish Development Model with its 10% allocation for disability-inclusive initiatives, ensure that Little Persons benefit from livelihood opportunities. Government has already set aside 50million shilling as myoga SACCO for Little Person at national level.

1.17Partnerships with organizations like the Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism (FPAD) have been crucial in raising awareness, combating stigma, and building capacity to promote social inclusion. The Government is also strengthening data collection and research to inform evidence-based policies and services.


1.18We remain dedicated to increasing the involvement of Little Persons in policy development and program design, ensuring their voices guide decisions that affect them. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders, the Government will enhance public awareness and service delivery to eliminate barriers, uphold dignity, and advance the full inclusion of Little persons in Uganda’s development.


1.19 Fellow countrymen, though there have been several achievements as highlighted above, the following areas need more emphasis:

(i)Scale up mobilization for Little Persons to enhance access to PDM by Little Persons to ensure they join other persons with disabilities and take up the 10% PDM share and the National Disability Grant.

(ii)Revive the orthopedic and other workshops in regional hospitals to facilitate affordability of rehabilitation services and assistive devices such as wheel chairs and clutches

(iii)Step up the implementation of commitments to the Global Disability Summit, so that at the next reporting, our Country is not downgraded as non-compliant.

(iv)Under NDP4, prioritise Disability inclusion across the 18 Programme areas to mitigate the previous low performance which was highlighted in NDP3 Mid-Term Review;

1.20 The National theme for this year’s celebration is: “Raising Awareness about Dwarfism and Promoting Inclusion of little persons in Uganda”.

1.21 The National theme emphasizes the importance of the need to educate the public, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for equal opportunities and rights for Persons of Short Stature in Uganda.

1.22Little Persons, often referred to as persons with short stature or persons affected by dwarfism, face a complex web of challenges that affect nearly every dimension of their lives physical, social, economic, psychological, and institutional. These challenges are not inherent to their stature, but arise largely from environments, systems, and attitudes that exclude people who do not conform to average physical norms.

1.23In Uganda, despite the protection afforded by the Persons with Disabilities Act (2020) and the Revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (2023), little persons continue to struggle with accessibility, recognition, and dignity in daily life.

1.24A major area of concern is the inaccessibility of the physical environment. Most of Uganda’s infrastructure for example buildings, roads, and public facilities have been designed without consideration for persons of short stature.

1.25Walkways and pavements, which could have been safe mobility spaces, are increasingly obstructed by barricades installed by city authorities to control boda boda riders. In Kampala and other urban areas, these barriers, though intended to prevent motorcycle lawlessness, have inadvertently restricted the mobility of Little Persons, particularly those using wheelchairs or walking aids.

1.26Public transport presents another barrier; taxis and minibuses often refuse to stop for Little Persons, or drivers express reluctance to carry them, assuming they will require excessive assistance or cause delay. This form of everyday discrimination undermines their independence and right to mobility.

Health and medical challenges further compound their exclusion.

1.27Little persons frequently experience orthopedic, spinal, and joint conditions that require specialized attention, yet few health professionals in Uganda are trained to manage these.

1.28Cases of incorrect medication dosage both overdosing and under dosing are not uncommon, as health workers often prescribe based on standard adult height and weight.

1.29Women who are Little Persons face particularly high risks during childbirth, as delivery beds are typically high and not adapted for their stature, making normal delivery extremely difficult.

1.30Access to reproductive health services and contraceptives is equally problematic, as community health workers sometimes assume that women of short stature are minors or asexual and therefore ineligible for family planning. These assumptions reflect not only medical ignorance but also harmful stereotypes that undermine bodily autonomy and family planning choice.

In the world of education;

1.31Learners with Little Persons are still marginalized by both the system and social attitudes.

1.32In many schools, classmates mock Little Persons by forcing them to “touch the opposite ear” over the head a humiliating act used to measure whether someone is “old enough” for school. Teachers rarely intervene, and some even share in the ridicule.

1.33Classroom settings are not adapted to their needs; desks are too high, blackboards are out of reach, and school notice boards are mounted far above their eye level, making it difficult to access information. Such environments communicate exclusion and reinforce the perception that Little Persons do not belong in mainstream education.

Employment and workplace accessibility remain equally troubling;

1.34Many employers still hold misconceptions about the capabilities of Little Persons and fail to provide reasonable accommodation. For example, biometric attendance systems and fingerprint scanners are often installed too high, making them difficult or impossible for Little Persons to reach.

1.35Counters, filing cabinets, and Bank ATM machines are similarly elevated, compromising both convenience and security especially when a person has to share their personal identification number (PIN) with a bystander or sometimes security guards to complete a transaction.

1.36In salons, the lack of adjustable chairs makes it difficult for women of short stature to comfortably receive hairdressing services, a simple act that becomes a reminder of their exclusion from everyday social spaces.

1.37Although Ugandan law allows persons with Little Persons to drive and provides tax waivers on imported customized vehicles for persons with disabilities, implementation remains restrictive. Many driving schools refuse to admit Little Persons, arguing that they cannot be accommodated or trained effectively due to vehicle modification requirements.

1.38As a result, many who could drive safely are denied the opportunity to acquire licenses, perpetuating their dependence on others for mobility.

1.39Similarly, public infrastructure such as courts and offices often ignore their presence little persons report being almost suffocated in courtrooms due to poor seating arrangements or being overlooked entirely in proceedings.

Social and cultural stigmas further intensify these challenges.

1.40In communities, little persons are often ridiculed, viewed as objects of entertainment, or treated as perpetual children. This negative attitude extends to religious spaces, some churches push adults with Little Persons into Sunday school classes, assuming they are children. Such treatment erodes dignity and reinforces harmful stereotypes that little persons are incapable of adult responsibilities.

1.41Moreover, cultural misconceptions associating Little Persons with curses or witchcraft continue to persist in rural Uganda, leading to social isolation and discrimination.

Access to information and communication also remains a barrier;

1.42Many public notices, advertisements, and bulletin boards are placed high on walls, far above the sightline of Little Persons, excluding them from opportunities and updates that others easily access. While Uganda’s Building Control Act and Persons with Disabilities Act (2020) both emphasize accessibility, enforcement remains weak. Most buildings still lack reasonable accommodation features such as adjustable counters, appropriately sized doorways, or ramps suitable for users of short stature.

1.43Psychologically, the cumulative impact of these barriers and prejudices is profound. Constant exclusion, mockery, and rejection lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression among Little Persons. Some withdraw from public life altogether, while others struggle to assert their rights in spaces that continue to treat them as lesser beings. The lack of peer support and professional counselling services for this group exacerbates their isolation, leaving many to navigate these challenges alone.

1.44As I conclude on the challenges faced by little persons in Uganda, its important to note that most of them are rooted in structural exclusion and social prejudice. From inaccessible public spaces and discriminatory service provision to harmful cultural attitudes and policy neglect, little persons face compounded barriers that violate their rights to equality, dignity, and participation.

1.45Addressing these issues requires an inclusive approach one that enforces existing accessibility laws, trains professionals across sectors, raises awareness to combat stigma, and ensures that persons with Little Persons are visible and active participants in Uganda’s social, economic, and political life. Only through such deliberate measures can Uganda fulfill its commitment to leaving no one behind.

1.46In line with Uganda’s strong affirmative action framework and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006, we are expected to establish effective access to general technical and vocational skilling, ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to Persons with Disabilities at the workplace, protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities on an equal basis and promote vocational and professional rehabilitation, job retention and return to workplace programmes for Persons with Disabilities.

1.47 To ensure an improvement in household incomes for Persons with Disabilities, The Government of Uganda (GOU) Provides for anti-discrimination provisions in the Employment Act 2006 which was enacted in line with the state policies such as Article 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda allowing affirmative action for marginalized groups.

Venue for the National Celebrations

1.48 The venue for this year’s national celebration will be held at Kampala School for the Disabled, Mengo, on October 25th, 2025.

1.49 The pre-event and D-Day activities include: Opening Ceremony with keynote speeches and cultural performances, Educational sessions on dwarfism/ little persons, management, and rights, Panel discussions on challenges and policy advocacy, Showcasing success stories and peer support activities, Art and cultural exhibitions promoting diversity, Interactive Q&A session dispelling myths about short stature, Media engagement to raise public awareness and Launch of an informative dwarfism fact booklet, among others.

1.50In conclusion, I call upon Government Ministries, Civil Society, the media, and the public to support initiatives that advance the rights and inclusion of little persons. Together, we can foster a society where everyone, regardless of stature, is valued and empowered.
I say this;

For God and my country

Asamo Hellen Grace (MP)
MINISTR OF STATE FOR DISABILITY AFFAIRS