People with special needs leading the charge for accountability, access, and equality.

In March 2025, CIDD-UG, under the Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement and Public Accountability (SCEPA) Project, launched a groundbreaking initiative to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. At the heart of this effort are TOPOWA village conversations with safe, inclusive spaces where dialogue is used as a powerful tool to connect community deliberation to policy decisions and government action. These conversations are set to culminate in the creation of regional citizen charter as grassroots-driven accountability tool that will support communities demand transparency, influence policy, and guide service delivery at all levels.

CIDD-UG, is intentionally centering the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural populations aimed at breaking down systemic governance barriers and ensuring that those often left unheard are not only listened to but valued and acted upon. The work of CIDD-UG in Bukedi through TOPOWA regular conversations is more than a short-term intervention toward building movement for creating transformative and lasting change. As more individuals are empowered with the skills to collaborate, deliberate, and lead, a new culture of civic engagement is emerging where public accountability is expected, and every voice counts.

Through SCEPA, CIDD-UG is supporting people with special needs (PWDs) amplify their voices, lead meaningful change, and drive the evolution of local governance toward systems that are just, inclusive, and truly responsive to the people they serve.