'Some disabilities can be prevented with healthy lifestyles'

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All Ugandans must adopt healthy lifestyles, such as strict adherence to antenatal care for expectant mothers, ensuring full immunisation of children and responsible living for the youth.

President Yoweri Museveni says the above, among others are measures of mitigating some preventable categories of disabilities.

Museveni’s message was on December 3, 2024, delivered by Vice-President Jessica Alupo during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) celebrations at Kumi district's Boma Grounds.

The celebrations marked under the national theme of improved household incomes for the well-being of PWDs have attracted all PWD leaders across the country.

Renowned orthopedic doctor in Uganda John Ekure gifting Alupo his book as minister Amongi look on. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

However, the international theme was amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Social Inclusion, this theme recognises the important role that PWDs play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of PWDs in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

"The theme this year reflects the current international political and policy context, in particular the Pact for the Future and the upcoming 2025 World Summit for Social Development, and the need to create momentum for achieving the 2030 Agenda. The theme seeks to amplify the centrality of the leadership role of persons with disabilities, in all of these efforts - from the global to the local," UNDESA social says.

According to the gender ministry, the major contributing factors to disability in Uganda include pre-natal causes, measles, malaria and accidents, among others.

Some of the persons with disability interacting during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

As such, the President emphasized the need for the people to adopt a healthy living.

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting PWDs in the country by ensuring that there are several affirmative actions in place.

In Uganda, an estimated 12% of the population has a disability yet 22% of unemployed Ugandans have a disability. Research indicates that persons with disabilities have less employment opportunities, particularly as the economy is dominated by subsistence farming. This is an important factor in understanding the high levels of poverty among people with disabilities: the 2009/10 National Household Survey found that poverty rates in households where there was a person with a disability were 30% higher. 

Gender minister Betty Amongi said her ministry was standing firm in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Uganda.

The chairperson of the National Council for PWDs, Yona Wasswa, said that despite the great government support to the PWDs, more is needed to alleviate them from abject poverty.