Acid survivors appeal to govt
Oct 29, 2009
OVER 300 acid survivors have appealed to the Government to restrict the importation, sale, distribution and use of acid to reduce its abuse.
By Darious Magara
OVER 300 acid survivors have appealed to the Government to restrict the importation, sale, distribution and use of acid to reduce its abuse.
The survivors’ representative, Mariam Kyewayenda, said they were still stigmatised by society.
She was speaking during an awareness campaign against acid violence organised by the Acid Survivors’ Foundation Uganda on Wednesday.
The foundation’s coordinator, Doreen Ayebale, said their mission was to help victims access medical treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration into society.
The internal affairs state minister, Matia Kasaija, condemned acid violence, saying people aggrieved should use lawful means to resolve conflicts.
He said the Government would soon enact a law to punish perpetrators of acid violence.
The chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, Dr. Ben Khingi, a consultant and surgeon at Mulago Hospital, said the surgical department is overstretched by surgery cases, some arising from acid violence.
He said the demand for surgery was very high, yet they had limited resources.
The former ethics and integrity minister, Miria Matembe, asked the Government to promote women equality in order to empower women and help reduce gender-based violence.
OVER 300 acid survivors have appealed to the Government to restrict the importation, sale, distribution and use of acid to reduce its abuse.
The survivors’ representative, Mariam Kyewayenda, said they were still stigmatised by society.
She was speaking during an awareness campaign against acid violence organised by the Acid Survivors’ Foundation Uganda on Wednesday.
The foundation’s coordinator, Doreen Ayebale, said their mission was to help victims access medical treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration into society.
The internal affairs state minister, Matia Kasaija, condemned acid violence, saying people aggrieved should use lawful means to resolve conflicts.
He said the Government would soon enact a law to punish perpetrators of acid violence.
The chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, Dr. Ben Khingi, a consultant and surgeon at Mulago Hospital, said the surgical department is overstretched by surgery cases, some arising from acid violence.
He said the demand for surgery was very high, yet they had limited resources.
The former ethics and integrity minister, Miria Matembe, asked the Government to promote women equality in order to empower women and help reduce gender-based violence.