Minister Acan appoints 23 members to National Council for PWDs
The council is charged with promoting and monitoring the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uganda.
The Minister of State for Gender in charge of Disability Affairs, Joyce Okeny Acan. PHOTO: Wilfred Sanya
The Minister of State for Gender in charge of Disability Affairs, Joyce Okeny Acan, has appointed 23 members to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).
The council is charged with promoting and monitoring the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uganda.
Acan announced the development in an address to the media at her offices in Kampala on Saturday.
The Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 mandates the minister to appoint representatives of eight ministries who are ex-officio members of the council. These are the ministries of Local Government, Finance, Health, Education and Sports, Gender, Public Service, Justice and Works.
The minister is also responsible for appointing other members in consultation with relevant organisations.
They include
▪️two persons with disabilities
▪️one male and one female from each region
▪️two persons with visual disabilities
▪️a parent of a child with a disability
▪️a professional with experience in disability affairs
▪️a representative of youth with disabilities
▪️a representative of non-governmental organisations working with persons with disabilities
▪️a Member of Parliament representing persons with disabilities.
The appointments follow the expiry of the tenure of previous members on July 30, 2026.
The minister said three ministries had not yet sent her their representatives: works, finance and justice.
“I happened to write to these ministries and institutions to send to me the names of those they want to represent them in the National Council of Persons with Disabilities," said minister Acan.
NAMES OF APPOINTEES
Sarah Ayesiga (Assistant Commissioner for special needs-Education Ministry)
Theresa Ahimbisibwe (Principal Human Resource Officer – Public Service Minister)
Emmanuel Kimbowa (Assistant Commissioner Finance and Planning – Local Government Ministry)
Dr. Moses Muwanga (Assistant Commissioner Health Service, Disability and Rehabilitation – Health Ministry)
Miriam Akot (Gender Ministry)
Praxeda Nakityo (Uganda National Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities)
Robert Nkwangu (Uganda National Association of the Deaf)
Joel Kawanguzi (Foundation of Persons Affected by Albinism)
Amon Mugume (Uganda National Association of the Blind)
Zabibu Apayi (Uganda National Association of the Blind)
Immaculate Onyutta (Federation of Uganda Employers)
Francis Mugwanya (NGO Representative)
James Mwesigye (Male Western Region)
Eunice Ndyamuhaki (Female Western Region)
Emmy Joe Odongo (Male Northern Region)
Sarah Zawadi (Female Northern representative)
Stuart Tamale (Male Representative Central)
Barbra Najjuma (Female Representative Central)
Yona Waswa (Male Representative Eastern)
Alice Nandutu (Female Representative Eastern)
Samuel Semakabanya (Youth Representative)
Mustafa Sabila (Co-opted)
Ededra Zamza (Co-opted)