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By Annonciata Byukusenge
The Rwandan Organization of People with Disabilities (AGHR) has revealed that the government’s budget allocation for people with disabilities remains inadequate.
This was highlighted in AGHR’s research conducted in 2023/2024, which was published on August 28, 2025.
The study shows that the share of the national budget allocated to accessibility infrastructure in public buildings decreased, dropping from 12% in 2023/2024 to 11% in 2024/2025.
In the housing, accommodation, and public asset management sector, RWF 67.9 billion was allocated in 2024/2025 for programs supporting people with disabilities.
AGHR welcomed the progress made by the Government of Rwanda in increasing the education budget for learners with disabilities. In 2024/2025, the government allocated RWF 43.8 billion to ensure inclusive and quality education for children with disabilities.
In the health sector, RWF 18.6 billion was allocated in 2024/2025 for maternal, child, and youth health programs for people with disabilities, a decrease from RWF 19.6 billion in 2023/2024.
In 2024/2025, the City of Kigali allocated RWF 32.5 billion to the education sector, RWF 9.7 billion to health services, and RWF 1.88 billion to social protection programs for vulnerable people with disabilities.
Across all districts, the 2024/2025 budget allocation for the education of persons with disabilities reached RWF 505.9 billion, while the allocation for health dropped to RWF 787.8 million, down from RWF 2.7 billion in the previous year.
Faustin Renzaho, Executive Director of AGHR, urged the government to adopt clear measures that track budget spending on disability-related programs. He also stressed the need for public buildings, especially large ones in Kigali, to be made accessible.
He stated: “In an assessment conducted by AGHR in 24 institutions across Kigali, findings showed that accessibility standards remain very low, especially in schools.”
He added, “We call for strict enforcement of Rwanda’s construction laws and regulations. Even older buildings constructed before these laws should be upgraded so that children with disabilities can attend school without facing major obstacles.”
Dr. Mukarwego Beth Nasiforo, Chairperson of the National Union of Disability Organizations of Rwanda (NUDOR), explained that they have been reviewing the national budget for persons with disabilities to ensure that by December, all districts increase their allocations.
She said, “People with disabilities have many needs. When the budget allocated to them is too small, many are left behind. Some need education, others require expensive assistive devices they cannot afford individually. Strong advocacy is needed to ensure they can access these services and achieve self-reliance like everyone else.”
Murwanashyaka Everaste, who led the AGHR study, pointed out that people with disabilities are often excluded during the public participation stage of national budget planning.
He said: “During consultations, they are not adequately supported to participate, and no specific guidelines exist to ensure their inclusion in budget discussions.”
He further noted that there are no clear laws or policies requiring institutions to report how the allocated budget benefits people with disabilities.
“Each public institution using government funds should be required to show how its budget addresses disability issues. The absence of such regulations is a very serious gap,” he said.
Murwanashyaka also revealed that some districts receive significant funds but allocate as little as RWF 12 million annually for disability-related activities.
He emphasized: “Without a binding law and without meaningful participation of people with disabilities in budget consultations, their needs are often overlooked in government planning.”
He added that the lack of a legal framework leaves a gap on the government’s side: “Because no law mandates it, planners know they will not be held accountable, so they don’t put in much effort.”
Pascasie Mukarukundo, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) in charge of budget policy and reforms, explained that some specific programs are indeed set aside for people with disabilities.
She said: “In most cases, districts fully spend the funds allocated to disability programs. However, disability is not an issue for one sector alone; it must be addressed across all sectors.”
She continued: “Each sector, whether health, agriculture, or education, must show how its budget allocation addresses the needs of people with disabilities so that no one is left behind in the country’s development.”
MINECOFIN stressed that no institution can receive budget approval without demonstrating how its programs will also benefit people with disabilities.
