Gulu Disabled Persons' Union

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Gulu Disabled Persons' Union

Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU) is represents the interests of persons with disabilities in Northern Uganda.

Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU) was founded early in 1980 as a group to help persons with disabilities (PWDs) access relief items following the fall of Idi Amin. Though the group focused primarily on accessing relief supplies, it became clear that PWDs in Northern Uganda were discriminated against and often neglected. After the emergency was over, the group transformed into a co-operative socie

ty and registered with the Department of Co-operatives in the District. The PWDs Co-operative supplied firewood to the town and trained women in tailoring. Between 1980 and 1984, the group had grown from the original 24 to 375 members. After a period of relative stability, a new conflict emerged, first by the Holy Spirit Movement (HSM) led by Messenger Alice Auma “Lakwena”, and later translating itself into a more dreadedful and prolonged conflict under the campaigns of Joseph and the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA). Conflict ravaged Northern Uganda for two decades, from 1987 to 2007. The LRA war caused untold suffering to all communities in the District of Gulu. However the situation for PWDs was made even worse, especially in the camps which were used by the Government to protect civilians from attack by the LRA. The little gains made to the dignity and welfare of the PWDs were all washed away by the indignity and horrors of camp life. In 1992 as a way of finding an address to the many challenged faced by PWD, Gulu Disabled Persons’ Union (GDPU) was formally established as a collective voice of PWDs when four disability associations representing landmine survivors, women with disabilities, the deaf, and blind came together. During this time, GDPU’s main objective was to promote the development of PWDs and their contribution in local and national development. GDPU then registered with the District Local Government and affiliated to NUDIPU. The membership of the union is now made up of 15 Sub-county Associations of PWDs and 6 organizations.

20/02/2026

In Pabbo Sub County, 26 Youth with Disability came together for a powerful training on Conflict Management. They shared raw insights on what conflict means to them - from stigma and unfaithfulness to poverty and corruption. Their voices matter, and their understanding of conflict is a crucial step towards change.

The group identified key strategies to tackle conflict head-on: mediation, knowing God, community counselors, honest dialogue, forgiveness, and non-retaliation. They're not just talking about change, they're living it. The LC system, religious, and cultural leaders are on board to support their efforts.

But the real question is... will their newfound resolve be enough to transform Pabbo Sub County?
Will they rise above the tensions and forge a path of peace? The journey has only begun, and the world is watching...

18/11/2025

Reflecting on the past year and planning for the future!

🌟 As youth with disabilities under the Plus project, we're taking time to assess what worked, what didn't, and how we can grow and thrive in the coming year..

Your support matters! Share with us: What's one goal you're setting for yourself in the new year?

07/11/2025

The Convergence of Service: How Alex and Maddie Redefined Empowerment in 6 Weeks.

In just six weeks, we witnessed a masterclass in modern service!

Meet Admiral Alex (the kind strategist) and Maddie (the digital visionary). Alex showed us that true security is rooted in community dignity,

Maddie proved technology is key to amplifying the voices of girls fighting poverty. Together, they catalyzed monumental change, from overhauling our data tools to forging crucial new partnerships (including World Vision and Rotary)

The Advocacy Project Partners
Musema Faruk
Okwr Joseph Jhns
ETC at GDPU

15/10/2025

Dignity Held Hostage: Why 24% of Girls are Dropping Out in Gulu

The story of Kulu Opal Primary School in Gulu District is a heartbreaking testament to resilience. With a staggering 24% student drop-out rate, most of them girls, the silent culprit isn't a lack of desire to learn, but Menstrual Poverty. This crisis isn't just about hygiene; it's a devastating assault on dignity, fueled by the myth that labels young women "unclean." Head Girl Anena Gladys was one of the many barred from class.

Working with The Advocacy Project, our WASH program knew that to secure their future, we had to restore their self-worth first.

✨ The Solution is Simple: Skills and Self-Worth
We didn't just hand out supplies; we delivered autonomy. Thanks to BRENDAH from Her Worth Foundation, our Menstrual Health Management (MHM) Training began by shattering cultural stigma and replaced it with fact.

The key? Skills Transfer! Girls learned to craft their own reusable pads from local materials. This simple, revolutionary skill has brought drop-outs back to class and offered an escape from transactional vulnerability. They are no longer victims of their bodies—they are resilient creators of a clean, hopeful future.

🛑 The Urgency Is Unacceptable
The Senior Woman Teacher confirmed 21 drop-outs this year alone due to this lack of access. This is a tragedy we can stop. The girls' hunger for this change was undeniable, they refused to break for lunch until the training was complete!

By integrating MHM training with accessible latrines and stigma-defeating incinerators, we guarantee that the dignity restored in the workshop is protected in the school environment.

📢 The Blueprint is Proven. The Time for Action is NOW.

The success at Kulu Opal is more than a victory; it is a proven blueprint for educational equity. We possess the solution, the method, and the mandate.
We urgently appeal to our partners and the community:

1. Fund the immediate replication of this MHM training across Gulu District.

2. Secure resources to procure more integrated WASH facilities (latrines and incinerators).

The future of hundreds of girls is hanging in the balance, currently held hostage by myth rather than fact. We are no longer asking if we can change the course of education, we are demanding who will step forward to decisively secure this unshakeable dignity, before another academic year is lost?

16/07/2025

On Monday, July 14, Gulu Disabled Persons Organization (GDPO) proudly participated in the Northern Uganda Regional Youth Parliament, a vital initiative by the Faraja Africa Foundation aimed at empowering young people aged 18-35 in policy and decision-making. This significant forum brought together youth from across the Acholi sub-region—including Pader, Kitgum, Amuru, Nwoya, Gulu District, and Agago—to advocate for inclusive policies and budget allocations addressing critical areas such as education, health, economic empowerment, and climate change, aligning with the National Development Plan III. GDPO ensured the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities by sending eight representatives and providing dedicated sign language interpreters to dismantle communication barriers.

A highlight of the session was the election of the new speaker for the coming year, with Shamim Yusuf, a dynamic young woman who previously interned with GDPO under the V-Plus Extension Program, successfully securing the position. Furthermore, GDPO's commitment to nurturing leadership among persons with disabilities was profoundly validated when our very own peer mentor, Akio Lilly Lynda, a 27-year-old woman of short stature, was elected as the Clerk to Parliament. Lynda’s resounding victory, securing 35 ballots, underscores the exceptional caliber of our peer mentors, including Akello Jenneth and Naato Timothy, all of whom consistently demonstrate outstanding community engagement through the V-Plus Empowerment Project.

The success of our peer mentors in these elections powerfully reflects a core objective of the V-Plus Empowerment Program: to cultivate self-reliant leaders with disabilities who can drive transformative change within their communities. Their active participation was truly impactful; Timothy delivered a compelling submission on the exclusion of persons with disabilities from national politics, highlighting the pervasive lack of sign language support in public forums. As a direct result of their contributions and Lynda’s new leadership role, both she and Timothy have received invitations to attend the National Youth Parliament next month in August.

GDPO remains steadfast in its mission to unearth and develop the inherent talents of persons with disabilities through our comprehensive mentorship programs. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Faraja Africa Foundation for providing such an invaluable platform for our youth with disabilities and wish Lilly Lynda and Timothy every success as they represent their peers at the upcoming national sitting in August.

09/07/2025

We're thrilled to share the progress of our V-Plus Empowerment project! 🚀 Today 9th or July, we held a reflection meeting with our peer mentors, who are working tirelessly to connect persons with disabilities to essential health services and promote community awareness. 🌈

Despite facing challenges, our peer mentors remain committed to driving positive change in their communities. Their passion and dedication are truly inspiring! 💪

Together, we can:

✨ Bridge gaps in healthcare access for persons with disabilities
✨ Foster inclusive communities through awareness and education
✨ Empower individuals to reach their full potential

Let's celebrate the impact of community-driven initiatives! 🎉

Join us in supporting the V-Plus Empowerment project and let's work together to create a more inclusive and compassionate world! 🌎

19/06/2025

The V-Plus Empowerment Project launched its first activity on June 4, 2025, with a foundational training for peer mentors at Gulu Disabled Persons' Union . The training aimed to orient mentors on their roles and responsibilities, address their concerns, and provide guidance on reporting and profiling tools. The session also included a Disability Awareness segment, enriching participants' understanding of disability and inclusion. By equipping peer mentors with knowledge and practical tools, the project takes a significant step toward building inclusive communities.

13/03/2025

The formation of the Artist with Disabilities Association of Uganda, inspired by Vivalavisa ETC at GDPU, marks a significant milestone. This association will advocate for the rights of artists with disabilities in Uganda, the first of its kind in the country. ETC at GDPU

13/03/2025

A life skills training program, focusing on conflict management, was conducted for 30 youth with disabilities, who explored the root causes of conflict and potential solutions.

19/02/2025

ETC at GDPU PROJECT

To date, over 560 youth with disabilities have benefited from our holistic approach, which encompasses financial literacy, business skills development, revolving loans, networking, mentorship, and career guidance.
ETC at GDPU

18/02/2025

Young people with disabilities in their communities often lack knowledge on sexual reproductive health and rights. Negative attitudes towards disabilities can prevent parents and relatives from providing necessary guidance, leading to inadequate hygiene practices and increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases. A team from the Vplus project conducted a specialized training session today, focusing on SRH awareness in Cwero Gulu district, with support from peer mentors.
ETC at GDPU

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+256771487566

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http://www.gdpoug.org/

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