Katumba Wamala roots for children with disabilities

Works minister Gen. Katumba Wamala has advised parents not to abandon or mistreat children born with disabilities. Instead, he has asked the parents to allow them to grow.

“Let us give them the opportunity to grow up because these are gifts from God. You may never know why God chose to bring them like that into the World. You may never know what they will be when they grow up” Gen. Wamala says.

He adds that these children should be given similar opportunities as those without disabilities.

Wamala made the call while presiding over the handing over of 50 wheelchairs donated by Patel Jan the executive officer of Tororo Cement at Kireka Home of Children with Disabilities in Kira Municipality on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Wamala also commissioned a walkway that was constructed by Seven plus Seven Rotaries to allow the children using wheelchairs to have mobility.

Children with disabilities at St Lillian Jubilles home after receiving wheel chairs from the 7 by 7 Rotary in Nangabo subcounty Wakiso district.Photo by Wilfred Sanya

“In Rotary, it is not about the position you hold, it is not about anything but service to the needy people” Wamala said.

He added that the idea of coming together makes a difference in the lives of the children and 'your mere presence is a very good signatory of the people we care about and not those who abandon them'.

Wamala said children deserved security to allow them to grow up as great people. He also compelled the members present to contribute to a razor wire fence having offered two rolls.

Security challenge

John Lubega, who served as Kireka C LC1 chairperson in Wakiso district, said many parents think this is a dumping home for children with disabilities.

Lubega appealed for security lights in the area because when it gets dark, thieves break in and steal whatever has been brought in to support the children.

He said a razor wire face should be put around the perimeter wall and solar lights installed around for security purposes. 

The Rotary District Governor 9213 Edward Kakembo said: “Let's use the 7 by 7 model unit that Rotaries to work together and this increases impact because it attracts more funding. We do so many things but if we come together we can cause more impact in the communities we serve”.

He advised other Rotary clubs to emulate the seven clubs working together because results show it can yield more results than working as individual clubs. The seven clubs are Rotary Club Kampala Life Stars, Rotary Club Nakasero Central, Rotary Club of Kira, Rotary Club of Gayaza, Rotary Club Kampala Ssese Islands, Rotary Club Kampala-Mahaba and Rotary Club Kampala North.

Kireka Home headteacher Rebecca Nakuwande said they face an irregular supply of drugs, especially Sodium Valproate and Carbamazepine.

Nakuwande revealed that they last year had 86 children but the number has since gone up to 97 children and currently, they face the burden of feeding them.