A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service

"Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities."

Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia.

For more 2011 feedback click here.

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Gulu Disabled Persons Union

Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU)
Gulu Disabled Persons Union

Issue: Persons with Disabilities
Region: Africa
Location: Gulu, Uganda

Background
The GDPU started its activities in 1979 when Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gulu organized themselves in order to get food and essential commodities despite serious shortages that faced the country right after the fall of Idi Amin. PWDs sent a delegation to District authorities in Gulu where they explained the problems that they were facing, and successfully petitioned the District Commissioner to designate a specific day that PWDs could get their food rations.

They continued operating as an unofficial group until 1992, when they formally set up the GDPU as an NGO that would advocate for, and serve as a voice for PWDs in Gulu district.

During the Northern insurgency waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) from about 1987 to 2006/2007, PWDs faced distinct challenges which the GDPU continued to address (e.g. many camped on the GDPU premises during the war in order to escape being attacked by the LRA). Since the cessation of hostilities in 2002, the GDPU is now working on making sure that the PWDs are included in the post-conflict reconstruction efforts. The GDPU would like to ensure that all developmental programs include disability issues- especially important in light of the current return and resettlement process in Gulu and Amuru District.

Through its various projects, the GDPU supports and defends the interests of PWDs by providing services and advocating for members. It has successfully advocated for an increase in the participation of persons with disabilities in local government, and for HIV/AIDS awareness raising programs for PWDs. The GDPU also provides rehabilitation services and assists PWDs on their way to economic empowerment.

The GDPU works with the following five member associations to support PWDs in Gulu and Amuru District:

The Gulu District Association of the Blind (GDAB)
Founded in: 1998
Mission: To better the quality of life of the blind in Gulu regardless of sex and age through advocacy, networking, awareness, capacity building and model service provision.
Chairman: Santos Okumu

The Gulu Women with Disabilities Union (GUWODU)
Founded in: 2002
Mission: To support women with disabilities.
Chairperson: Teddy Luwar
Phone: +256 782 998 709

The Gulu/ Amuru Landmine Survivors Group
Founded in: 2005
Chairperson: Monica Piloya

The Gulu Deaf Association
Founded in: 1996
Chairperson: Alex Lawoko

The Gulu United Deaf-Blind Association (GUDBA)
Founded in: 2007
Mission: To work toward human rights of deaf-blind people and better quality of life.
Chairperson: Bernard Odong

Telling The Story

Photographs:

Take a look at Peace Fellow Rebecca Scherplez's Flickr photos

Videos:

Watch AP's playlist on GDPU

Peace Fellow Blogs:

2012: Dane Macri

2011: Rebecca Scherplez (Butler University)

2010: Christine Carlson (Monterey Institute of International Studies)

2009: Bryan Lupton (Columbia University)

Quilting and Other Projects:

With the assistance of 2010 Peace Fellow Christine Carlson, GDPU produced an Advocacy Quilt with panels created by the staff and members of GDPU. It tells their stories of war and living with disabilities in Uganda.


Christine (bottom) poses with members of GDPU and their Advocacy Quilt.

GDPU's Work

Campaigns:

Men from GDPU stand in front of the GDPU sign in Gulu, Uganda.

The Union advocated for local councils to include a budget line in sub-county budgets for PWDs. As a result of their efforts, 50.000 shillings is now allocated to the annual sub-county budgets. The GDPU is working for an increase of this budget allocation.
During the insurgency, the GDPU advocated for special humanitarian relief arrangements for displaced persons with disabilities. They lobbied the WFP to provide food rations to persons with disabilities on a different day from other internally displaced persons.
As internally displaced persons start to return to their homes, PWDs are unfortunately being left behind in the camps (http://advocacynet.org/resource/1205). The GDPU is working to try and get the World Food Program to continue providing food rations to PWDs still in camps.
The GDPU often goes on air to talk about the rights of PWDs and other issues relating to PWDs on MEGA FM, a popular Gulu radio station.

Donate to GDPU
Support Gulu Disabled Persons Union in Uganda:

You must insert a dollar amount to donate.

Contact GDPU
Visit the Gulu Disabled Persons Union's website

Postal address: P.O. Box 549, Gulu
Street Address: Jomo Kenyatta Road,
Opposite SOS Children Village and Police Barracks
Telephone: Tel: +256 782 963 026

Contact Person: Mr. Simon Ong’om,
Chairman, GDPU
Tel: +256 714 766 688
Email: guludisabledperson@yahoo.co.uk

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