A Trailblazer Honored for His Courageous Leadership
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the global human rights community is celebrating the remarkable achievements of Benon Kabale, a Ugandan disability rights advocate, who has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Human Rights Watch Marca Bristo Fellowship for Courageous Leadership in Disability Rights. Kabale’s tireless advocacy for the rights of individuals with psychosocial disabilities has positioned him as a beacon of hope for many marginalized communities in Uganda and beyond.
For years, Kabale has been at the forefront of the fight for justice, dignity, and autonomy for people with mental health conditions. As someone with lived experience of institutional mistreatment, his mission is deeply personal. Having endured seclusion and restraint in a mental health hospital, he founded the Mental Health Recovery Initiative in 2018. His organization focuses on raising awareness about human rights in mental health and advocating for legal and systemic reforms that uphold the dignity of people with psychosocial disabilities.
A Journey of Struggle and Advocacy
Kabale’s journey into activism began after he personally experienced abuse in Uganda’s national mental health facility, Butabika Hospital. In 2005 and again in 2010, he was forcibly secluded under harrowing conditions. Hospital staff forcibly restrained him, injected him with sedatives, and confined him to a dark, cold, and unventilated isolation room without bedding or a toilet. He remained alone in this distressing environment for over 24 hours.
Determined to challenge these inhumane practices, Kabale, in collaboration with the Center for Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), the Validity Foundation, and Mental Health Uganda, sued the Ugandan government in 2015. Their legal challenge sought to outlaw the use of seclusion rooms and physical restraints on people with psychosocial disabilities, arguing that such practices violate fundamental human rights enshrined in Uganda’s constitution. However, in a disheartening 2018 ruling, the high court dismissed Kabale’s claims, questioning his credibility due to his history of mental health struggles. The case remains under appeal, with the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) taking on legal representation as of June 2023.
Global Recognition and the Marca Bristo Fellowship
Kabale’s work has not gone unnoticed. His courage and commitment to disability rights advocacy earned him the highly competitive Marca Bristo Fellowship. Established in memory of the legendary disability rights leader Marca Bristo, the fellowship is designed to empower emerging activists by providing them with training in research, advocacy, communications, and fundraising. Past recipients of this fellowship have gone on to create significant impact in the disability rights sphere.
For Kabale, the fellowship is a stepping-stone toward greater advocacy, particularly in advancing the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Uganda ratified in 2008. He hopes to leverage this opportunity to strengthen networks with like-minded organizations and individuals working toward justice in mental health care.
The Ongoing Battle for Disability Rights
Despite legal setbacks, Kabale remains undeterred. His story highlights the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination faced by people with psychosocial disabilities. The Ugandan legal system, like many around the world, continues to uphold archaic perceptions that undermine the credibility and autonomy of individuals with mental health conditions.
Nevertheless, history has shown that determined advocacy can lead to transformative change. Previous Marca Bristo fellows, such as Benafsha Yaqoobi from Afghanistan and Hauwa Ojeifo from Nigeria, have gone on to influence policy and secure critical funding for mental health initiatives. Kabale’s inclusion in this distinguished group signals a bright future for mental health advocacy in Uganda and globally.
A Call for Global Solidarity
The case of Benon Kabale underscores the urgent need for global solidarity in the fight for disability rights. While Uganda’s constitutional and legal framework acknowledges human rights, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Systemic abuse, lack of mental health resources, and deep-seated stigma continue to plague the lives of countless individuals with psychosocial disabilities.
Kabale’s recognition through the Marca Bristo Fellowship serves as both an acknowledgment of his resilience and a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over. His work is paving the way for future generations of advocates who will continue to challenge discrimination, push for policy reforms, and strive for a world where mental health care is rooted in dignity, autonomy, and human rights.
As the international community marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let Benon Kabale’s story inspire us all to push forward in the struggle for justice, equality, and the recognition of the inherent dignity of every human being—regardless of mental health status. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the global discourse on disability rights for years to come.
