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Until Everyone Is Safe: Why Refugees with Disabilities Must Not Be Left Behind By Muombamungu JamesExecutive Director, Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD), Uganda 20 June 2026 The question we must ask ourselves today is simple:Can we truly say that everyone is safe when refugees with disabilities continue to be excluded from humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, employment, and decision-making processes?The answer is no.As we commemorate World Refugee Day 2026, let us remember that safety is not complete when only some people are protected. Safety is complete when every refugee including refugees with disabilities, can live free from fear, access opportunities, participate equally, and pursue their aspirations with dignity. The promise of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the spirit of this year’s theme demand nothing less. Until refugees with disabilities are safe, included, and empowered,…

The Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) is proud to share findings from a recent assessment exploring the lived realities of persons with disabilities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement.This report highlights a critical reality: while humanitarian services exist across sectors such as health, WASH, food assistance, education, protection, and livelihoods, access for persons with disabilities remains deeply unequal.Through direct engagement with women, men, and youth with disabilities, as well as service providers and community leaders, the study reveals that barriers are not isolated. They are interconnected and reinforcing. Long distances, inaccessible terrain, and disability-unfriendly infrastructure limit mobility. Economic constraints such as transport costs and medical expenses make “free” services unaffordable. Institutional challenges including long queues, limited staffing, and weak referral systems further exclude those most in need. Communication gaps and…

Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Kyegegwa District — A newly released report by the Association of Refugees with Disabilities (ARD) has brought renewed attention to the disproportionate impact of humanitarian funding cuts on refugees with disabilities, highlighting a widening gap between service availability and actual access.Titled “Impact of Funding Cuts on Refugees with Disabilities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement”, the report presents evidence from a household survey and key informant interviews, revealing systemic reductions across essential sectors, including food assistance, healthcare, education, WASH, and protection services.The findings indicate that while services continue to exist within the settlement, their accessibility has significantly declined, particularly for refugees with disabilities. Reduced transport support, limited availability of assistive devices, declining outreach services, and staffing constraints have collectively made it increasingly difficult for vulnerable populations to…

Are you a video and photographic company? The Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) invites you to produce an 8-minute documentary showcasing the challenges faced by refugees with disabilities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement. This project uses inclusive documentation to raise awareness, amplify the voices of refugees with disabilities, and support effective advocacy under the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Project. 📄 For full details, see the Terms of Reference (TOR) here: TOR LNOB-ARD- Documentary (1)Download

Welcome to ARD’s first newsletter! This edition highlights our journey from field activities in Kyaka II and Kyangwali to global advocacy platforms. Inside, you’ll find stories on: Inclusive livelihood reviews and community feedback. Accessibility challenges and solutions for refugees with disabilities. Radio campaigns raising awareness on equal rights. ARD’s voice at the Global Disability Summit Commitments Launch in Uganda. 📖 Explore the full issue here: ARD Monthly Newsletter A4 (2)Download

Kampala 6th June 2025 We are excited to announce that the Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) has joined hands with RELON Kenya, in partnership with the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), to implement a Family Reunification Program for refugees in Uganda. As part of this program, ARD and RELON Kenya are serving as key referral organizations to IRAP, working together to support refugees who are seeking to reunite with their family members across borders. This week, we were honored to host RELON Kenya here in Uganda as they officially launched the program. During their visit, RELON met with Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), community leaders, and various humanitarian partners to introduce the initiative and foster collaboration. We are grateful for this impactful partnership with RELON Kenya and IRAP. Family reunification is…

At the Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD), we prioritize safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals we serve. As part of our commitment to data protection, ARD is seeking a consultant to develop a Data Protection and Privacy Policy to ensure compliance with best practices and regulatory standards. This initiative, supported by UN Women under the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, will establish clear guidelines on data collection, processing, and security. The consultancy will include: 🔹 Conducting research on existing policies 🔹 Facilitating discussions with ARD’s management and stakeholders 🔹 Developing and refining a comprehensive policy 🔹 Training staff and key partners on data protection principles 🔹 Organizing a validation meeting for final approval We invite qualified consultants with expertise in data protection, NGO management, and policy development…

In 2010, Obedi Bayonga and Faustin Ntiabategera co-founded the Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD) in Uganda. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a transformative force, advocating for the rights and inclusion of refugees with disabilities. Their shared vision of empowerment continues to inspire the organization’s work to this day. At this year’s ARD Annual General Meeting, the organization marked a significant milestone in its journey of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. The event not only reflected on ARD’s achievements but also honored the visionary leadership of its founders. Obedi Bayonga and Faustin Ntiabategera were recognized with an Appreciation Award for their exceptional contributions. Commemorating ARD’s Milestone In her opening remarks, ARD’s Executive Director underscored the significance of the milestone. “Today, we celebrate a…

A Call to Action The Association of Refugees with Disability (ARD), in collaboration with partners such as the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Disability Rights Fund (DRF), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Refugee-Led Organizations Network (RELON), Humanity & Inclusion (HI), Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), and others, is coming together to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future". This global event, observed annually on December 3rd, is a cornerstone in raising awareness and advocating for the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. For ARD, this day holds special significance as it underscores the organization's commitment to advocating for refugees with disabilities, a group that faces compounded challenges due to…

The Association of Refugees with Disabilities (ARD) invites qualified consultants to submit proposals for designing a Project Information Management System (PIMS) that will enhance ARD’s project planning, monitoring, and reporting processes. This initiative is part of our commitment to empowering refugees with disabilities across Uganda by improving our organizational efficiency and data management capabilities. For full details on responsibilities, qualifications, and application requirements, please review the Terms of Reference document below. The application deadline is November 21, 2024. Terms-of-reference-for- Project Information managment system -Detailed-DocumentDownload