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JINJA

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have asked the Government and development partners to avail them more opportunities for financial literacy to enable them run businesses efficiently.

Particularly, they say emphasis must be put on improving their competence in running micro projects and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where majority of them are employed.

“We hope once this is done, our members will be equipped with knowledge and skills of operating small businesses and limit losses that we incur,” Ronald Kazingirizi says.

He was on Monday, March 25, 2024, speaking to a team of officials from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCD) who were in Jinja to monitor groups that benefitted from the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme and the disability grants.

Kazingirizi, who is a member of the Jinja PWD Advocacy Club, which among others enterprises deals in maize milling, also asked NCD to link them to partners/funders, explaining that certain businesses require partnerships to progress.

He, however, commended the Government, revealing that initially, he and his colleagues would purchase 500 kilogrammes of maize for milling but this increased to 2,000 kilogrammes after the group benefitted from sh5m under the disability grant.

“Proceeds from the business have helped sustain our selves and families but we still need more boost,” he said.

Juma Wamango, also a beneficiary of the disability grant, said he used proceeds from his business of selling bananas, to start a poultry farm.

Juma Wamango (left) a member of Magwa PWD development group talks to officials from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCD). Rose Achayo (Second left), the group leader from NCD. (Photo by Charles Kakamwa) 

“From almost nothing, I’m now able to earn something and I pay school requirements for my children with ease,” said the member of Magwa PWD development group.

The delegation also visited Bright Disability Group in Bugembe, Jinja city northern division. The group with 70 members, received sh5m from which they bought tents and plastic chairs for hiring out.

Anthony Waipa, the group chairperson, said apart from profits of the business, members are also encouraged to save and, thereafter, borrow for development projects.

Robert Ssewagudde from the NCD asked city leaders to always ensure that all disability categories benefit from the grants and other government development programmes.

Rose Achayo, who led the NCD team, asked the community development officers to do more sensitization on proper usage of funds to avoid misuse and losses.

Jinja deputy mayor Fazira Kawuma commended the Government for always supporting PWDs through the various development programmes and increasing the disability grants from about sh2m to sh5m per group.