SOROTI – Soroti persons with disabilities [PwDs] will for the first time receive Shs 50 million from the National Special Grant [NSG], says Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hellen Grace Asamo.
Asamo while meeting Soroti district leaders wondered why Soroti PwDs had never benefited from the National Special Grant yet this particular initiative is meant to support them.
The Minister urged Soroti PwDs to embrace the grant and follow up in order to develop.
Asamo also said PwDs should not be marginalised, or wait for sympathy but rather utilize the government programme to eradicate poverty at household level.
“I want the disabled to make good use of that money once it has come, ” she said.
Asamo who was on her monitoring visit for both the special grant and Emyooga funds for the PwDs explained that Soroti is not any different from others and therefore will receive a sum of Shs 50million under the national special grant.
She applauded the local leaders for their efforts in monitoring government programmes in order to create positive impacts in people’s lives.
She also cautioned local leaders to be on the lookout for government programmes and make sure they are not mismanaged.
According to Margret Acaya Emuria, the district Community Development Officer [CDO], they received Shs87,572,800 under the district special grant which benefited 934 PwDs.
Acaya said, they have so far registered positive results from the groups that were formed by the PwDs which include Gweri, Dakabela and Soroti PwDs Association.
To her, PwDs sometimes are particular in stating enterprises but they have tried to sensitize them and some of them are now engaging in tree planting, value additions and skills training among others.
“We have tried to educate them on other projects that can still improve their livelihoods and they are responsive am glad,” Acaya said.
Acaya further said, there is need for continuous mobilisation for other government programmes for the PwDs. Timely disbursement of funds should be key to avoid frustration with the project.
Stephen Olebe, the Chairperson Disability Council emphasized that government must allocate for them more funds so that they can be able to cover a bigger number of PwDs.
According to him, 75 groups were registered to receive the special grant but only 14 groups have been verified for the grant.
“A larger number is left out and yet all these people need to have something for survival,” Olebe said.
He said that much as 90 percent of the PwDs are aware of these programmes and some of them make follow-ups, there should be facilitation for those in charge like the Senior Community Development Officer so that sensitization of the groups is continuously done.
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