PRIMA

Persons with Disability affairs leaders have advocated for this category of people to be adequately included in the employment quota, as their representatives push for the guiding mechanism to help them get jobs.

The Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hellen Grace Asamo also advised people with disabilities to be vibrant and go on job seeking rather than feeling inferior.

This was at the celebration of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU)’s 36 years of existence under the theme, “Promotion of an inclusive environment in the Employment sector for all: My Role!”

Many times PWDs have been secluded from various social duties inclusive of the employment sector. Globally, about 1.3 – 1.9 trillion dollars is said to be lost in the exclusion of persons with disabilities in the employment sector.

The Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hellen Grace Asamo, called for cooperation among the PWD representatives in parliament to unite and fight for the same cause of enabling the provision of laws for the good of their people.

She also said PWDs should work on their attitude, and esteem and should not hang onto their infirmities but rather take on opportunities and prove their capabilities.

Hon. Bumali Mpindi, a member of parliament representing peoples with disabilities mentioned that despite the remarkable achievement in enhancing the livelihoods of the PWDs, the regulations in the provision of the employment quota in the laws is failing them having many people of this category left out on several occasions even with better qualifications.

Esther Kyozira, CEO National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda, explained that although skilling programs have been designed by the government for PWDs, they are not as inclusive of all categories for some hence, suggesting the involvement of the players that handle PWD affairs for better planning.

On the other hand, the CEO, of the Federation of Uganda Employers, Douglas Opio said experiencing the possibility of employers working with this category can potentially help create a working space for PWDs, as a deliberate move to include them in the employment sector.

His Worship Willy Atono, a Grade One Magistrate advocated for flexibility among the PWDs if they are to achieve their goals or at least be included in the employment sector.

he also narrated how several strategies have been put in place to help PWDs receive a fair trial for PWD.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Census Report, about 12.4% of the population is living with a disability. It was found that disabilities are the most “prevalent amongst women (15%) than men (10%); higher in rural areas (15%) than in urban areas (12%).”

Today, National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) celebrated 36 years of existence as an organization that advocates for the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and their concerns in the mainstream development processes.