Kumi, (UG):- The government of Uganda has vowed to ensure that the household income and well-being of persons with disabilities are taken care of through both mainstream programs and disability-specific programs.
In a speech at the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Boma Grounds in Kumi District on Tuesday, the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi said the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities has cumulatively funded 7,422 enterprise groups, with a total of 55,799 households of PWDS.
Amongi noted that though its coverage is still low in comparison with the 5.6 million Persons with Disabilities, this specialised grant has transformed many lives.
She added that under the Parish Development Model government has 10% allocated to Persons with disabilities though access is still limited due to functional limitations by PWDS.
Amongi added all efforts will be made to ensure that the quota for Persons with Disabilities is protected.
“Your Excellency, we have received proposals to rationalise part of the 10% PDM quota for PWDs, to add it to the well-customised and accessible National Special Disability grant, so as to address access barriers and increase access which is at 2% despite intensive sensitisation campaigns,” Hon Amongi said at the function presided over by Vice President Maj Rtd Jessica Alupo who represented the President.
The Minister added that the Emyooga programme has an allocation of UGX 30 million for PWDS per constituency, with a top of UGX 20 million, for groups that perform well.
She said other initiatives such as the GROW project, and the reservation scheme under PPDA, have all been designed with an affirmative action lens, especially for women with disabilities.
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