PWDs decry low funding from government

PWDs picking clothes donated by the Muslim community and university students. Phot o by Henry Nsubuga

People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Mukono Municipality have decried the low funds received from the the Government to boost their welfare.

The PWDS were on Friday responding to the Mukono Municipality's community development officer (CDO) Betty Naluwooza, who told them that she receives only sh8m for PWD activities in a whole financial year.

Naluwooza said the money is supposed to support PWDs in groups from both Mukono Central division and Goma division.

She advised PWDs not to wait for only money meant for the PWDs, but also target funds from Youth Livelihood Programme, Community Driven Development and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

The male councillor for PWDs at Mukono Municipality, Aramanthan Lubowa said they have a lot of demands from their electorate, but that they are unable to deliver because of limited funds.

"We are always in touch with the CDO's office, but she tells us always that she has no money. We are now asking for well-wishers to intervene," he said.

Catherine Nanfuka, the Mukono Central division female councillor for the PWDs asked PWDs who have ability to work to exhaust their will and stop begging because many people have used that as an advantage to abuse them.

Nanfuka said that men sexually harass disabled women and dump them after making them pregnant or infecting them with HIV/AIDS.

"They always entice us (disable women) with money. Some have been misinformed by witchdoctors that having sex with a disabled woman makes one rich," she said.

The PWDs also received clothes and shoes collected by their councillors from Muslims of Masgid Hijira Mosque, students of Uganda Christian University and Kyambogo University.