Albinos tipped on next year’s polls
Jun 09, 2010
MEMBERS of the Uganda Albinos’ Association should contest for elective positions in next year’s general elections, the director has advised. Judah Ssebyanzi said this would enable the group to influence policies that affect them.
By Brian Mayanja
MEMBERS of the Uganda Albinos’ Association should contest for elective positions in next year’s general elections, the director has advised. Judah Ssebyanzi said this would enable the group to influence policies that affect them.
“The non-albinos don’t understand some of the challenges we face, yet they formulate the policies we abide by,†he said. Ssebyanzi urged the members to register now so as to enable them vote in people who will address their problems.
In February, the association petitioned the deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, demanding a representative in Parliament. They also called for laws which would enable albinos participate in the decision-making processes of the nation.
Ssebyanzi asked opposition MPs to support their request for a representative and also increase the number of representatives of persons with disabilities. “FDC and DP are blocking our move because they think each affirmative action group belongs to the NRM, forgetting that some of the members belong to their parties. Albinos are very few in the country and can’t compete favourably through the persons with disabilities system, which is monopolised by non-albinos. This is the reason we need to elect our own representative like women do,†Ssebyanzi stressed.
He was speaking on Tuesday at a workshop for albinos at Jovan Hotel in Bakuli, Kampala.
MEMBERS of the Uganda Albinos’ Association should contest for elective positions in next year’s general elections, the director has advised. Judah Ssebyanzi said this would enable the group to influence policies that affect them.
“The non-albinos don’t understand some of the challenges we face, yet they formulate the policies we abide by,†he said. Ssebyanzi urged the members to register now so as to enable them vote in people who will address their problems.
In February, the association petitioned the deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, demanding a representative in Parliament. They also called for laws which would enable albinos participate in the decision-making processes of the nation.
Ssebyanzi asked opposition MPs to support their request for a representative and also increase the number of representatives of persons with disabilities. “FDC and DP are blocking our move because they think each affirmative action group belongs to the NRM, forgetting that some of the members belong to their parties. Albinos are very few in the country and can’t compete favourably through the persons with disabilities system, which is monopolised by non-albinos. This is the reason we need to elect our own representative like women do,†Ssebyanzi stressed.
He was speaking on Tuesday at a workshop for albinos at Jovan Hotel in Bakuli, Kampala.