Govt introduces Authority to handle children Affairs

Five years ago, Christine Ssemmanda a resident of Kyengera in Wakiso district gave birth to twins; Morgan Kato and Charles Wasswa. Kato was born with cerebral palsy while Wasswa was born perfectly fine.

At five years now Kato does not speak nor concentrate on anything making him a child with special needs.

Ssemanda says, Kato needs special attention as he always moves close to noise and most times follows advertising trucks which expose him to dangers like accidents and getting lost.

She adds that Kato who is now in baby class gets physical therapy to prevent his disabilities from advancing to the secondary stage which may lead to a stop in the functioning of his senses like the sight.

In the move to solve the problems that are affecting the children with special needs and children at large in the country, the Ugandan government has put up a National Children Authority under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi during the 4^th annual National Awareness day at the MTN Arena Lugogo Kampala district.

The event that started with a marching from Centenary Park to the MTN Arena was organized by Special Children's Trust (SCT) an umbrella that unites Non-Government Organization in Uganda that take care of the children with special needs.

"The authority will aim at implementing all children's programs and implementing laws on children laws with a budget that is not attached to other sections in the ministry," Nakiwala explained.

Miss Uganda Zahara Nakiyaga with international model Madeline Stuart from Australia. Photo by Mary Kansiime

She added that the Authority will have directors responsible for different duties and will focus on putting up a friendly working environment for organizations that take care of children by appointing some of them in the authority.

"These are the people who basically know what the children in the country go through and what they need." She added.

Nakiwala further said her ministry will make sure that children with special needs have the same classes with those without special needs to have the same quality.

The chairperson SCT Samuel Mayanja said that government needs to teach teachers in schools on how to handle children with special needs to enable them get chance to study together.

He added that the therapy people with special needs get is too expensive as doctors charge differently adding that government should provide such services freely in hospitals to save the children.

SCT Director Florence Namaganda said such children are a gift from God and advised parents especially fathers not to deny or hide their children adding that fathers still have a mentality that they do not give birth to children with special needs.

In attendance was the 19 year old international Australian model Madeline Stuart who is also a youth with special needs.