Amuru PWDs to benefit from sh1.9b fund

Over 4,500 vulnerable and People living With Disabilities in Amuru district, in Northern Uganda are to benefit from sh1.9b fund.

The fund is to be launched by two NGO's; National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda and International Development charity, Send a Cow.

The three-year project is due to start in January 2018 and aims at families to achieve greater food security and improved livelihoods.

The scheme also involves setting up mixed self-help groups with both disabled and non-disabled people hence reducing stigma.

Paul Stuart, chief executive of Send a Cow said: ‘‘In the past, we have found it difficult to recruit disabled ‘peer farmers' who are responsible for training and supporting families in the local area. Many disabled people in Uganda are ostracised by the community and lack the confidence to take on leadership roles."

He added: "That is why we are trying a different approach with this project. We will be training up twice the number of peer farmers and pairing up non-disabled farmers with disabled ones so that they can learn from each other, act as role models and encourage more disabled people to get involved.''

The Ugandan Bureau of Statistics Census 2014 found 12.5% of the Ugandan population has some form of disability. In Pabbo sub-county, the district, statistics show that 7,000 (16%) have hearing difficulties, with many more people having other physical or mental impairments.