OYAM: PWDs call for increased special grant to enhance livelihoods

Oyam, (UG):- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Oyam District have urged the government to increase the National Special Grant allocated to each district, arguing that the current funding is insufficient to address the needs of all disability groups.

According to them, an increased grant would enable more disability groups per sub-county to benefit, thereby improving livelihoods and supporting a larger portion of the disabled community.

This request was made during a profit-sharing event by the Atur Disabled Group in Alutkot Parish, Loro Sub-County, Oyam District. The group had successfully doubled their Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) profit from the 5 million shillings received through the National Special Grant in 2023.

Established on May 26, 2022, with 30 members, the group generated a profit of 7.2 million shillings within a year through weekly savings and lending to community members. Part of the earnings was used to purchase goats, group uniforms, and plastic chairs to generate further revenue.

Christine Nyana, the Community Development Officer of Loro Sub-County, who is visually impaired, emphasized the need to increase the National Special Grant for PWDs. She noted that the current grant supports only one group per sub-county, despite Oyam District having 16 lower local government administrative units.

“The guidelines allow for funding only one disability group per sub-county, yet multiple groups are ready and eager to benefit from the grant. This poses a challenge for the disability fraternity. My appeal to the government is to increase the grant to support at least two groups per sub-county,” Ms Nyana said.

Bonny Oyena, the Chairperson of the Atur Disabled Group, highlighted how the grant has positively transformed their lives. He shared, “We managed to raise an interest of 7.2 million shillings within a year because of our commitment and transparency.”

Francis Odongo Ali, Chairperson of Persons with Disabilities in Oyam District, commended the government for the grant, which he said is significantly improving lives. He also praised the impact of the VSLA but cautioned against borrowing for unplanned purposes.

“It’s rare to hear that a disabled person defaults on a VSLA loan compared to abled individuals. Most defaults occur when loans are taken for unplanned purposes,” Odongo remarked.

Patrick Ogwang Obura, an aspiring Oyam South MP candidate under the NRM party extended support to the Atur Disabled Group with a cash donation of an unspecified amount. In a message delivered by his political assistant, George Olwata, Ogwang urged PWDs to vote for competent leaders in the 2026 general election rather than those who offer bribes but lack genuine community connections.

According to Anthony Otim, the Senior Community Development Officer, a total of 68 disability groups in Oyam District have benefited from the National Special Grant, receiving a total of 320 million shillings and directly impacting 642 PWDs.

Otim encouraged beneficiaries to diversify their investments for better returns, recommending livestock like birds and pigs due to their rapid reproduction rates. “Next time, I want to see groups investing in birds, pigs, and other animals that multiply quickly to generate income within a short time,” he advised.

The National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities aims to boost household incomes for PWDs. According to the 2014 Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the disability prevalence rate is 12.5% of the population, with 49.26% being male and 50.74% female.