Email this article 
A Comparative Analysis of Institutional Capacities for Implementing Disability Policies in East African Countries: Functions of National Councils for Disability
Abstract
During the “African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2000-2009)”, East African countries witnessed significant achievements, especially in the development of law, collection of statistics and in funding. However, many persons with disability are still marginalised from opportunities in education, healthcare and employment.
Purpose: With the pre-supposition that the lack of institutional capacities for implementing disability policies is the one major stumbling-block which hinders widespread delivery of social services to persons with disabilities in low-income countries, this study makes a comparative analysis of institutional capacities in the disability sectors of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Method: The research methods adopted were a literature survey and a field survey. The framework for analysis consists of: 1) capacities and functions of disability units in central governments, 2) relationships between central and local governments in the disability sector, and 3) relationships between governments and organisations of persons with disability (DPOs). Special attention is paid to the status, roles and functions of national councils for disability (NCDs), the independent statutory bodies recently established in each of the three countries, with clear authority and duties for the implementation of disability policies. The NCDs enable multi-sectoral stakeholders to be involved in the implementation of disability policies; therefore, positive relationships between the governments and DPOs are essential for the smooth functioning of the NCDs.
Results: While the result of the field survey in Tanzania reveals several effective approaches for the smooth operation of the NCD, further study is needed to verify whether these approaches would be applicable to other East African countries such as Kenya and Uganda.
doi 10.5463/DCID.v23i2.106References
Catholic Information Service for Africa (2010). Kenya: Government Launches the First Census for the Disabled, Nairobi: Catholic Information Service for Africa. http://allafrica.com/stories/201002170779.html [accessed on July 4, 2012]
Cheema GS (1981). Institutional Dimensions of Regional Development. Nagoya: United Nations Centre for Regional Development, Nagoya, Japan.
Hayashi M (2007). Shogaisha rehabilitation (in Japanese) [Rehabilitation for Persons with disabilities] In Ochiai, Takehiko and Tomoko Kanata (Eds). Africa no Iryo, Shogai, Gender.[Medical Care, Disability and Gender in Africa] Kyoto: Koyo Shobo Corporation: pp.133-155
Kamadi G (2010). A Tough Challenge: Disability Centers in Africa, Kenya: Islam Online. http://www.arsvi.com/i/2-disabled201001.htm#0312 [accessed on July 4, 2012]
Lang R and Murangira A (2009). Disability Scoping Study. Kampala: DFID Uganda.
Masakhwe P (2009). Kenya: State Should Count the Disabled And Plan for Them, Nairobi: Catholic Information Service for Africa. http://allafrica.com/stories/200905120851.html [accessed on July 4, 2012]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002). Sekai Keiei Kyogikai (in Japanese) [World Business Council] and V.S.O. (2002). Enjo Jisshi Taisei Hyoka Chosa Houkokusho (in Japanese) [Evaluation report on the implementation structure for international assistance] Tokyo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/shiryo/hyouka/kunibetu/gai/tanzania/ej01_01_020303.html#1 [accessed on July 30, 2011]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2008). Africa ni okeru Funso no Genjo to Heiwa Kochiku – PKO Center heno Shien (in Japanese) [Current situation of conflicts and peace building in Africa – support to PKO center] Tokyo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/pr/wakaru/topics/vol19/index.html [accessed on July 30, 2011]
Nagamine H (1985). Daisan-sekai no Chiiki Kaihatsu – Sono Shisou to Houhou (in Japanese) [Regional Development in Third World Countries: Paradigms and Operational Principles] Nagoya: The University of Nagoya Press.
Nakanishi Y (2004). “Tojokoku ni okeru Shogai (sha) Mondai no Genjo, Kadai soshite Torikumi (in Japanese) [current situation, problems and approach in disability issues in the developing countries] In Kuno, Kenji and Yukiko Nakanishi (Eds). Rehabilitation Kokusai Kyoryoku Nyumon. [Approach for Rehabilitation and International Cooperation] Tokyo: Miwa Shoten: pp.43-45
National Bureau of Statistics (2010). Tanzania 2008 Disability Survey Report. Dar es Salaam: National Bureau of Statistics in Tanzania.
National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development (NCAPD) and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) (2008). Kenya National Survey for Persons with Disabilities - Preliminary Report. Nairobi: NCAPD in Kenya.
National Council for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya (2010). http://ncpwd.go.ke/aboutncpwd/board-members/ [accessed on August 7, 2010].
Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania (2010). The Persons with Disabilities Act 2010, Dodoma: the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Parliament of Uganda (2003). National Council for Disability Act 2003, the Uganda Gazette No.51 Volume XCVI. Kampala: UPPC, Entebbe by order of the government
The Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2010). African Decade Disability Issues, SADPD Newsletter 1. Cape Town: The Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2006). Uganda National Household Survey 2005/2006. Kampala: Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
Uganda Landmine Survivors Association (2009). Our First Annual General Meeting (Full Report). Kampala: ULSA.
United Nations (2012). Convention and Optional Protocol Signatures and Ratifications, New York: United Nations. http://www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166 [accessed on March 7, 2012].
Full Text: PDF
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
