PWAs hail Parliament for waiving taxes on their lotions

Jun 14, 2018

The Sunscreen lotions are essential in protection against skin cancer among people living with albinism.

 
PIC: People living with Albinism dancing during the celebrations to mark the fourth International Albinism Awareness Day at Busoga Square in Jinja on Wednesday.(Credit: Charles Kakamwa)
 
ALBINISM
 
JINJA - People living with Albinism (PWA) in Busoga sub region have commended the Parliament of Uganda for waiving taxes on Sunscreen lotions.
 
The Sunscreen lotions are essential in protection against skin cancer among people living with albinism.
 
Speaking during the celebrations to mark the fourth International Albinism Awareness Day at Busoga Square in Jinja town on Wednesday, Peter Ogik, the chairman of Source of the Nile Persons with Albinism (SNUPA) noted that the recent pronouncement by Parliament had started bearing fruit.
 
"As a result, last week we received a consignment of sunscreen lotions and we are hopeful this will go a long way in improving the quality of life of people with albinism," he said.
 
According to Ogik, a donation worth over sh500m was made by Advantage Africa an organisation that promotes rights of people with Albinism. It included 4,916 lotions to be distributed to over 700 people.
 
He added that as a result of such interventions will reduce the death rates among Albinos.
 
Ogik said that whereas previously 98% of PWAs died before the age of 40 years mostly due to skin cancer, in Busoga this has been lowered to 70%.
 
The celebrations were held under the theme: ‘Shining our light to the world'
 
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga who was chief guest directed needs of PWAs such as sunscreen lotions, wide brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and sun glasses should be highlighted in the forthcoming national budget so that their human rights are observed.
 
Kadaga, also the Kamuli woman member of Parliament, commended SNUPA for its continued advocacy for rights of people with disabilities especially the PWAs.
 
According to research, Uganda has an estimated 25,000 people living with Albinism with majority of them living in Busoga sub-region and Buyende district in particular.
 
At the ceremony also attended by Hellen Grace Asamo the Member of Parliament for people with disabilities in eastern Uganda, Kadaga launched a Cryogun machine used in the treatment of pre-cancerous cells.
 
She also launched SNUPA band whose songs are used in advocacy campaigns and pledged sh2m towards the organisation's activities.
 
Led by a brass band, SNUPA members matched through the streets of Jinja up to the venue of the ceremony.
 
There was also blood donation, free skin cancer screening and distribution of protective clothing, lotions and sunglasses.

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