ADD Uganda started its operations in 1987 and its main mission was to facilitate the development and sustainability of the disability movement in Uganda to bring about lasting social change that enables the full inclusion of disabled people in all aspects of life for the full enjoyment of their rights. ADD started in a small way but has now grown both in size and scope and currently supports all the national organizations of disabled people in Uganda named below:

National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU)
Blind but Able (BBA)
Disabled Women Network and Resource Organization (DWNRO)
Epilepsy Support Association (ESA)
Legal Action for People with Disabilities
Mental Health Uganda (MHU)
National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODO)
Uganda National Action for Physical Disability (UNAPD)
Uganda National Association of the Blind (UNAB)
Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD)
Uganda Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities (UPACLED)

and 21 cross disability district unions and several uni-disability associations within these districts. These include Apac, Busia, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Katakwi, Kotido, Kumi, Lira, Masindi, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Paliisa, Sironko, Soroti and Wakiso.

ADD’s main programme work is embedded into the two broad aims that are the basis for its existence.

• To cultivate capacity among disabled peoples organisations (DPOs) to be strong, effective and articulate in promoting the disability inclusion in Uganda.

• To assist disabled people to advocate effectively at national, district and at the lower levels for the implementation of policies and laws which guarantee disabled peoples’ rights and compliance with International Human rights Instruments, the national constitution and national Laws

Disability and Development in Communities (DDC)  Programme
In the design of ADD support to district-disabled persons’ unions, strengthening of the union to do advocacy on its own, is a key strategic issue to be handled at various levels. Although there is a developed disability legal framework and systems, through which affirmative action could benefit disabled people, only limited implementation has been possible primarily due to inadequate skills by leaders of persons with disabilities to influence effectively for the benefit of persons with disabilities. Another problem is the performance gaps within the delivery system and lack of inclusion of persons with disabilities’ needs within the systems of budgeting, allocation and provision of services at the district and in the LC system. Read More>>

ADD AND THE DEAF
ADD had been working with disable people since 1987 but due to the communication barrier they tended to leave out the Deaf people. In 1993 lady luck smiled to the deaf in the form of Mrs. Gloria Pullen who visited Uganda and found the plight of Deaf people especially in Northern Uganda which was being ravaged by insurgency caused by the conflict between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Uganda national army, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). She decided to start with Gulu District which was epicentre of the war.Read More>>

ADD GENDER AND HIV & AIDS PROGRAMME:
ADD has a gender policy in place which is used to provide guidance for the realisation of the organisations commitment to gender equity and equality and promoting the participation of disabled women in the disability and women movements as well as other community development activities meant to alleviate poverty and improve on their livelihood.  ADD recognizes the fact that disabled women in poor countries such as Uganda face double discrimination and disadvantage because of the stigma attached to their gender and disability. Read More>>