People living with deafblindness have asked to be integrated into government programmes to empower them so that they can lead better lives.

This, they say, should increase their involvement in areas of education, health and protection.

According to National Association of Deaf Blind Uganda ((NADBU) executive director Tonny Otim, fewer numbers of people living with deafblindness are excluded when it comes to receiving services, arguing that they are unable to access them.

He noted that these people lack facilitators and that they face challenges acquiring deserving livelihoods.

Tonny Otim, Executive Director NADBU (left) gifts the Minister of State for older persons Dominic Gidudu Mafwabi

"At places of service delivery, there are no facilitators to guide our people. It is a serious challenge which we want the Government to address," Otim said.

According to him, a section of this category is left out of the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme that is intended to eradicate poverty. This, he noted happened because people living with deafbliness are not able to follow up on the entire process.

Delegates and partners in a group photo with Minister Dominic Gidudu Mafwabi

 

 

"I want to say that we need special attention because our status demands so. It is increasingly becoming a challenge for some people to access better lives," Otim said.

Otim made the remarks on Friday, September 1, 2023, during NADBU's annual general meeting at Spots View Hotel in Kireka, Kampala.

Minister Gidudu Mafwabi (left) receiving gifts from NADBU Executive Director Tonny Otim

The available data from the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics indicates that Uganda has a total of 15,000 people living with deafblindness. It further suggests that only about 350 of the total population can be identified and supported.

Minister Mafwabi talking to the media