BY JONAN MUZIGIT
Local leaders at sub-county level have been urged to be sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities during the implementation of various government programs.
Kasese Municipal Principal Community Development Officer courts especially sub-county chairpersons to be champions of the interests and needs of persons with disabilities-PWDs across all the 44 lower local governments.
Mr. Wilson Lhughabwe made the appeal during the training aimed at equipping local leaders with knowledge on the rights of persons with disabilities and their participation in government programs, including elections, skilling initiatives and social protection funds.
Lhughabwe reiterated that the Persons with Disabilities Act provides for the protection of the rights and freedoms of PWDs to participate in the development agenda of the country.
The Program Manager for Infectious Diseases Institute Uganda, Hailey Seo, argued that there is need to even amend several acts of parliament in order to ensure that the current legal regime complies with the need to improve the welfare of persons with disabilities in the country.
She said the proposed amendments will be submitted to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for consideration.
Meanwhile, Mr Ivan Kamabu Bwambale, the LC3 Chairperson of Kisinga Town Council, urged persons with disabilities to utilize their village representatives to access government programs and services.
On her part, Alice Muhindo, a resident of Kisagazi Cell in Kasese Municipality, called on leaders to protect persons with disabilities from abuse and sexual exploitation.
ENDS.