By Izidoro Twinamatsiko,
KAMPALA
Ugandan government is in plans to introduce the child disability grant to support households with disabled children.
This was revealed by the minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace during a media engagement at Uganda Media Centre ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities due on December 3.
According to the minister, households with children living with disabilities are facing numerous challenges such as additional costs associated with caring for these children. She says the designed child disability grant will enable caretakers to mitigate these challenges.
“Poverty and inequality are still prevalent among Persons with Disabilities, this worsens their functional limitations,” Hon. Asamo noted. “To bridge these gaps, she added, “the government plans to enhance PWD access to national programs like the Parish Development Model, introduce a Child Disability Grant to support families caring for children with severe disabilities, and revitalize orthopaedic services at regional hospitals.”
According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 Census Report, PWDs make up 5.7% of the total population, figures which have been contested by many disability rights groups including National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) who claim that the disability prevalence is far lower than 12.4% recorded in 2014 census. The minister however clarified that UBOS is going to undertake a disability functional difficulties survey to harmonize of information on 2024 census report on Persons with disability numbers.
In addition, minister Asamo emphasized Uganda’s robust legal frameworks aimed at promoting inclusion, including the Persons with Disabilities Act (2020), Mental Health Act (2019), and building regulations mandating accessibility features such as ramps and lifts in all new constructions. She also confirmed that the Government has 5 Vocational Rehabilitation Centers and 1 sheltered workshop for Persons with Disabilities geared towards providing specialized, hands-on training in specific trades, for youth with disabilities who are unable to continue with formal education.
Speaking at the 1st East African Conference on Disability Inclusive Higher Education at Kyambogo University recently, the state minister of higher education, JC Muyingo disclosed that the government is committed to increasing disability scholarships from 64 to 320 students by 2025.
“Government plans to increase the number of learners with disabilities supported at university and tertiary level to 320,” minister JC Muyingo said.
On the other hand, minister Asamo said Shs3,670,340,896 billion were in the FY2023/24 allocated to the ministry of education and sports for both recurrent and development fund to special needs education interventions. According to her, this has supported capacity strengthening special needs and inclusive education for 240 teachers received training in specialized skills and Functional Assessment to support learners with special educational needs.
Uganda will join the global community to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. National celebrations will be take place in Boma Grounds, Kumi District, Eastern Uganda, under the theme: “Improved Household Incomes: For the Wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities.” President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to preside over the celebration, which seeks to recognize the contributions of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to national development.
