PWDs receive sh3b for empowerment project

By Gloria Nakajubi and Violet Nabatanzi

Persons with Disabilities (Pwds) have received a total of sh3b from the Disabled People’s Organization of Denmark meant for empowerment programs in selected districts across the country.

The three year project is to be implemented under National Union for Disabled Persons Uganda (NUDIPU) and National Union of Women with Disabilities in Uganda (NUWODU).

Martin Ssenoga, the programme manager, Capacity Building at  NUDIPU revealed that the project is intended to create an inclusive environment where Pwds live a dignified life and exercise their rights.

He added that it’s basically going to focus on empowering Pwds with the necessary information concerning HIV/AIDS and equipping them with skills on how to fight poverty.

This was revealed during a media orientation workshop organized by NUDIPU on Thursday aimed at changing perceptions in the community on Pwds.

Ssenoga explained that the programme will initially target 10000 Pwds and 50% of these have to be women and youth with disabilities.

He also noted that they intend to come up with sustainable economic ventures such as self-help groups, savings groups that will elevate Pwds from being perceived as a social burden but rather active participants in the economic development of their communities.

They also intend to work with government agencies like Uganda AIDS Commission and Ministry of Health in order to streamline the HIV/AIDS campaign amongst Pwds who sometimes miss out on the vital information because of the way it’s presented.

In his remarks the Chairperson NUDIPU, Francis Kinubi noted that the basic tool in this campaign will be advocacy and sensitization programmes in order to influence policy changes on issues that affect Pwds.

While making a presentation, Deputy Director NUDIPU,Martin Babu Mwesigwa noted that the major hindering factor for Pwds are the negative perceptions communities have on Pwds and these have eventually turned some of them into harsh and arrogant individuals who think society is against them.

“Certain statements made by public figure continue to create a wider gap between the disabled and the able bodied as anything negative is always compared to one being disabled,” said Mwesigwa.

He cautioned that Pwds are like any other person but the difference is that barriers Pwds face begin with people’s attitudes often rooted in misinformation and misunderstandings about what it’s like to live with a disability.