Don’t marginalize people with disability, warns minister Oboth

TORORO - The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Markson Oboth, has cautioned the public against despising people with disabilities [PWD] saying everybody is capable of being disabled.

"Some of us who think we are standing straight, you never know when you will be disabled and you need a wheelchair. When you are walking don’t over brag and don’t despise those who are disabled because everybody is capable of being disabled’’ Oboth said.

Oboth made the remarks while handing over 50 wheelchairs and tricycles worth sh 100 million that was donated by the Varsani Group and the First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni, to the people of Tororo held at Tororo hospital on Friday.

He said earlier the same group donated another 100 wheelchairs which he said has facilitated the movement of disabled children going to school and elderly persons without being a burden to anybody.

Minister Oboth (C) launches the donation of wheelchairs. (Credit: Faustine Odeke)

Oboth requested Varsani group leaders since they work closely with Tororo Cement to consider constructing a wall fence at Tororo General Hospital to safeguard it from the vandals and thieves who have been sneaking into the facility.

He said the government has so many overriding priorities and fencing of the medical facilities has been in the budget.

He said if Tororo cement can fence Tororo police station and Rock High School then it’s necessary to support fencing of the hospital since everybody is a candidate for service provision there.

Tororo district chairperson John Okea thanked the donors for their kind hearts by facilitating the disabled communities to don their normal duties saying disability is not inability.

He cautioned the beneficiaries against the misuse of the donated equipment.

Shifah who represented Varsani group said it’s the second time that donations have been made to the Tororo community.