Citing scenarios where the Government provides free condoms to men, people with disability have also appealed for the provision of free sanitary pads from the government. 

Suzan Namarome, the chief commissioner Uganda Girl Guides Association, said whereas condoms are important, they do not come with the same need as sanitary pads. 

Bob Mayonza (left) with Laura and Ed White from the US, who have been instrumental in agitating for the rights and social inclusivity of persons with disability.

She made the appeal on Friday (October 21) during the climax of a two-weeks long orientation session concerning menstrual hygiene among disabled persons.

The session which attracted some officials from the government and several civil society organisations was organised by the Tunaweza foundation in partnership with Pilgrim Centre for Reconciliation (both non-government organisations) and the United States Mission in Uganda. It was held at the embassy plaza in Kampala.

"We have just ended our training and orientation about menstrual hygiene and realised that the majority of the Ugandans are girls with disability, who have encountered the problem of menstrual poverty which has affected their attendance and performance at school. They feel shy and inferior, hence dropping out of school," intimated Namarome.

Participants having a photo moment after the orientation session concerning menstrual hygiene among disabled persons held on Friday at Embassy Plaza in Kampala.

Victoria Nalule, the director of Tunaweza foundation which advocates for people with special needs, said they have been assisting disabled persons, especially in Eastern Uganda where they have so far given out menstruation cups to over 1,000 girls and women. 

She noted that people with disabilities face challenges of self-stigma during the menstruation period and inaccessibility of menstruation materials which are expensive.

"The government should, therefore, contribute towards such noble causes to harness the girls' future, especially those with a disability," appealed Nalule, who is also facing disability challenges.

Jennifer Rowu, the proprietor of Could you cup, a non-government organisation based in the US, noted that the issue of menstrual health, especially among disabled persons cuts across to most countries around the globe. 

"We have over 130,000 girls on our waitlist for the menstrual hygiene cups," Rowu noted. 

She added, "some of the girls are using rags among other unsanitary things which later cause infections. We have seen girls using leaves and yet others, are having transactional sex for a pad."

She also mentioned refugees as being vulnerable communities who need special care, especially for their menstrual health. 

She called upon government agencies to help equal the playing field for education so that disabled girls are not missing school.

Pilgrim Centre for Reconciliation, an organisation which cares for persons with special needs, especially refugees, has also had its efforts geared towards community revitalisation with inclusion of all persons. 

Bob Mayonza, the country director for Pilgrim Centre for Reconciliation said, they are striving to have an answer for such girls who run after men to get menstrual hygiene material.

He, on the other hand, appealed to men to always stand up for girls and women during their menstrual cycle without having to exploit them. 

Girls in the slums of Kampala were listed among those who are highly affected by lack of menstrual sanitary wear, same as females in Eastern and Northern Uganda.