By George Emuron
BUKEDEA
As Uganda is set to commemorate the international day for persons with disabilities on 3rd, Dec 2024 (today) and hosted by Kumi district, the chief executive director national union of disabled persons in Uganda (NUDIPU), Esther Kyozira has urged government to institute quarter system for persons with disabilities.
Kyozira made the clarion call this during a symposium press briefing at Secret heart hotel Kumi, on Monday, 2nd December, 2024.
The symposium was organized by the Union of disabled persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) in partnership with East African Centre for disability law and Policy (EA-CDLP), Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) and organizations with persons with disabilities.
She said in order to meet this year’s theme “Improved household income for the wellbeing of persons with disabilities”, there’s a need for the government to fulfill its commitments of creating accessibility of jobs to PWD’s.
“As the umbrella in charge of PWD’s we experience challenges especially on social assistance empowerment,” said Ms. Kyozira.
Ms. Kyozira also added that much as the parish development model program is on ground, few PWD’s in the villages have benefited.
“One person to benefit in a parish will not help to cover the entire parish, my appeal to the government is to increase the number of persons with disabilities who will benefit from the program,” she added.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Akol, the chairperson PWD’s union association in Kumi district told this publication that the district still faces a challenge of an interpreter which hinders smooth dissemination of information especially with persons with hearing disability.
“In most cases, the PWD’s are left behind especially during big events at the district, deaf people don’t have an interpreter so its challenging to most of them, over time we have been trying to engage the district leadership to recruit at least one interpreter in order to cater for the deaf”, said Mr. Akol.
However, Hellen Asamo, the state minister for persons with disabilities who was the chief guest urged leaders to front issues pertaining to persons with disabilities.
She said most disabled persons face challenges especially in the education system, health care services and jobs accessibility.
“As a ministry we are working hard to ensure that all these challenges are addressed as put in this year’s celebration theme”, said Minister Asamo.
