KUMI, December 4, 2024 — The Government of Uganda will continue to protect the interests of persons with disabilities [ PWDs ] through affirmative action.
This was revealed by President Yoweri Museveni in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Jessica Alupo, as Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities [IDPD] at Boma Grounds in Kumi district yesterday.
Uganda marked the day under the theme “Improving Household Incomes and Wellbeing for People Living with Disabilities,” while the global theme was “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
Museveni urged everyone to participate in the fight to eradicate poverty at the household level, stating that the national theme aligned with the National Resistance Movement [NRM] Government’s efforts to combat poverty.
The President congratulated and appreciated the contribution of PWDs towards the development of Uganda. He added that the NRM Government would continue to support PWDs in all aspects, with a particular focus on improving household incomes.
He urged leaders of PWD groups to mobilise their members for government wealth creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model [PDM].
“The Parish Development Model and other wealth funds aim to increase the number of wealth creators engaged in production across four sectors: commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT,” Museveni explained, noting that these initiatives would enable households to become creators of wealth and employment.
The National Chairperson for PWDs, Yona Waiswa, urged the government to do more for PWDs in the country, particularly through skills training, employment opportunities, and special consideration in government programmes.
According to Waiswa, 75 percent of PWDs in Uganda live below the poverty line, despite the government’s significant efforts to reduce income inequality.
He explained that without government intervention, families headed by PWDs are more likely to experience poverty than those headed by non-disabled persons.
In her address, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Among, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of PWDs.
“Uganda stands tall in Africa and globally in protecting the rights of PWDs, with leaders planning from the parish level to the international level,” she said.
She called on leaders to commit to educating the population about the risks associated with various forms of disability.
Meanwhile, Lisa Chesney MBE, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, revealed that 1.3 billion people globally live with various forms of disability, with Uganda having approximately five million PWDs.
She noted that stigma and discrimination are among the challenges faced by PWDs.
“US$ 1.9 trillion is lost globally due to the exclusion of people with disabilities, according to a report by the International Labour Organisation,” she said.
Loura Criado, the UN representative, emphasised the need for continued collaboration between the National Planning Authority and the Ministry of Gender to address some of the challenges faced by PWDs.
The Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hellen Grace Asamo, highlighted that the government, through special grants, has funded 7,422 PWD groups, benefiting a total of 55,799 households. “Additionally, the Parish Development Model allocates 10 percent for people with disabilities, and Shs 30 million is earmarked for Emyooga groups,” Asamo added.
Celebrated on 3 December worldwide, IDPD mobilises support for critical issues related to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, raises awareness about disability issues, and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
https://thecooperator.news/pwds-seek-approval-to-form-separate-saccos-to-benefit-from-pdm/
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