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Inside government's Revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

Inside government's Revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
  • 12.4 per cent of the Ugandan population lives with some form of disability.
  • Approximately 4.5 million Ugandans are persons with disability.

Government has launched the Revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) 2022. The launch was conducted during the celebrations of the International PWD day under the theme "Leadership and Mindset Change, a Tool for Inclusive Development".

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  • Any Ugandan born in 2022 can ask for a sign language interpreter during job interviews. 
  • The audio-visual version of the PWD Act 2020.
  • Addressing myths and misconceptions on albinism
  • First Braille copy of the Constitution of Uganda (Uganda becomes the 13th Country in the world to have a Braille version of the Constitution).

The launch took place at Kole District Headquarters and was officiated by the Vice President of Uganda who was the chief guest at the celebration, Jessica Alupo, the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, and the country representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mary Otieno.

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According to Otieno, in order to uphold Human Rights and the sustainable development goals of the 2040 agenda, disability inclusion is priority.

Low inclusion of PWDs in various programs and by duty bearers. Otieno said that the celebrations are a call to the public to be more purposeful and intentional in changing the mindset towards PWDs.

Hon. Alupo said that there's still room for improvement in vision and purpose in leadership at the national level.

Low empowerment for parents with children with disabilities. Hon.Alupo said that government is looking to reduce on the cost of accessing surgeries and related services for PWDs through grants.

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However, Yona Wasswa, the chairperson of National Council for PWDs, said that they are limited in service delivery by the little resources available at their disposal.

These include: limited resources to mobilise PWDs to engage in government programs, limited training and limited deployment of sign language interpreters in the country.

In response, Hon. Amongi said that her Ministry will boost the number of sign language interpreters at village levels.

Some PWDs believe that legal reforms and and implementing necessary legal tools will make it easy and sustainale to actively participation in government programs.

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