Locals Urged to Support Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

Residents and leaders have been urged to support and care for their relatives and friends with disabilities. This call was made by Buteme Mercy, a medical professional and founder of the Night to Shine Foundation, an initiative dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities.

Buteme organizes annual engagements with PWDs to encourage social inclusion and create opportunities for them to spend time with their families. This year’s celebration in Namisindwa District took place over the weekend at Forester Gardens, attracting over 250 participants, mainly young people with disabilities and their families.

According to Buteme, persons with disabilities often face isolation both at the family and community levels. She emphasized the need for society to show love and support to PWDs, noting that disability is never a personal choice. She added that the goal of these celebrations is to give PWDs an opportunity to experience life beyond their usual environment.

Namisindwa Male Youth Councilor Bwayo Emma, who was invited as a guest speaker, urged fellow leaders to prioritize the welfare of PWDs. He criticized what he called “opportunistic leaders” who ignore PWDs because of their perceived inability to mobilize politically. Bwayo emphasized that true leadership is about serving all people regardless of their status.

He also highlighted the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, a government program implemented across districts, municipalities, and cities. However, he expressed concern that the funds are often mismanaged, with only a small fraction reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 Report recorded the national prevalence of disability at 5.7%, sparking public outrage from stakeholders.