Mbale City, Uganda: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have been urged to actively embrace government programmes and participate in leadership processes to improve their livelihoods and influence national development.
The call was made by Mbale Resident City Commissioner (RCC) George William Wopuwa while opening a one-day post-election dialogue for PWD leaders from Eastern Uganda.
The engagement, organised by the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups in partnership with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, was held at Courts View Hotel in Mbale City.
Wopuwa emphasised the importance of inclusion in political, social, and economic spaces, urging PWD leaders to take up opportunities provided by government programmes.
“Persons with disabilities must actively participate in all aspects of national development. Disability is not inability,” he said.
He also challenged leaders to remain accountable to those who elected them.
Mwanje Keeya, a consultant with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), urged leaders to amplify advocacy efforts for disability rights. “A good leader inspires others and should never tire of lobbying for the interests of their people,” Keeya said.
He emphasised the need for consistent engagement with both local and central government structures to ensure PWD concerns are addressed.
Etyang James, a PWD leader from Busia, encouraged fellow leaders to assert their rights without hesitation. “We should not fear approaching local councils to demand our rights. Those who violate the rights of persons with disabilities must be taken to courts of law,” he said.
The dialogue brought together leaders from across Eastern Uganda to reflect on post-election experiences and strengthen coordination in advancing disability inclusion.
Stakeholders noted that while government programmes exist to support vulnerable groups, uptake remains low due to limited awareness and engagement.
Leaders say empowering PWDs with information and leadership capacity is key to ensuring they fully benefit from national development initiatives.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
