Sh42.8m raised for albino center as Parliament week kicks off

Jan 13, 2019

“We expect to build a hostel, training and medical facility for People with Albinism. ”Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, said.

Deuty Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah flags off participants. Photo by Timothy Murungi 

PARLIAMENT WEEK | FUNDRAISER WALK                            

KAMPALA - The Parliament week kicked off Sunday with a fundraiser walk where sh42.8m was collected and given to Persons with Albinism (PWA). The money raised by MPs, Non-Government Organizations and Government Agencies, will aid the construction of a rehabilitation and community center for PWA.

Vision Group's head of sales, Hope Nuwagaba, handed over a cheque worth sh10m towards the sh5b project.

 

"We expect to build a hostel, training and medical facility for People with Albinism. The project budget requires sh5b, however, last year, Parliament raised sh72m so far," Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, said.

Dokolo district Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal, who represented the Speaker, pledged sh5m. Ogwal called on other organizations and people to contribute to the PWA centre in their individual capacities and other fundraising campaigns.

"We pray that we do not only focus on the walk. Various agencies that support us should find other avenues of expanding our efforts so that we raise the money and make the centre a reality, said Cecilia Ogwal.

 

Several groups representing PWA reiterated their plight, including the need for prevention against skin cancers.

"When we ask for lotion, we are seen as a burden to the nation, but when we get skin lotions, we will be protected from any cancer and we will not be a burden anymore. You know treating cancer is very expensive. Once we are protected, we can be valuable citizens and add to society advancement, once given a chance," said Doreen Mawejje Mayanja, a member of the Albinism fraternity. She also said men abandon their wives who give birth to albinos, accusing them of infidelity.

Jude Ssekyanzi, asked the education ministry to give PWA special treatment at school. "Give PWA question papers with large font, review the curriculum to favour us and allocate us additional time during exams," he said.

Safia Nalule, the representative for People With Disability (PWDs), central region, distributed copies of the Protection of the Rights of Persons With Albinism draft Bill to participants so that they could offer their contribution towards it. She asked the Speaker for support towards hosting an international conference for PWA and also organize a meeting with the President for the albinism fraternity, to present their challenges to him.

Earlier, Deputy Speaker Gilbert Oulanyah flagged off a charity walk that started at parliament at 7:00am.

 

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