By Spy Uganda
Mbarara: The Cabinet Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development cum Kibale East member of parliament Hon. Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze, has Wednesday September 9, 2020 launched Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) Programme in his home area, Mbarara
READ ALSO: Gender Min. Tumwebaze Launches SAGE Program In Northern Uganda, Nine Districts To Benefit
The first Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Bishop Emeritus Yoramu K. Bamunoba based in the outskirts of Mbarara City was among the very first beneficiaries of the programe in the area, which targets the elderly citizens of the banana republic.
The joyous Bishop commended minister Tumwebaze on behalf of government for the support towards the vulnerable aged Ugandans and in reward, gifted him with a copy of his book titled “The development of the Anglican Church in West Ankole 1900- 1990”.
..I was privileged to MEET Rt Bishop Bamunoba at his home where we launched the initiative. He gifted me a copy of his book titled " The development of the Anglican Church in West Ankole 1900- 1990" . I pray that the Almighty God continues to give him a healthy & long life!
— Frank K Tumwebaze,MP : Psalms 124 : 1-8 (@FrankTumwebazek) September 9, 2020
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In the same vein, Tumwebaze handed over vehicles to the ministry’s regional staff to support their mobility while carrying out SAGE outreaches meant to enable vulnerable Ugandans access basic services and start income generating activities in a bid to curb poverty amidst their late human life cycles.
From the launch of the program, the minister addressed and opened a consultative meeting with leaders of People With Disabilities (PWDS) from Western Uganda, an event that took place at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara, as government seeks their input into the review of the national policy on disabilities.
READ ALSO: Minister Tumwebaze Asks CDOs To Be More Vigilant On Implementation Of Gov’t Programs
At the PWDS’ inaugural meeting, Tumwebaze noted that when they reduce the vulnerability and promote inclusion of persons with disabilities, they will be able to increase participation and protection of rights of persons with disabilities irrespective of gender, age and disability category.
- “This is in recognition of equal opportunities for empowerment of those Persons With Disabilities, that they can perform to their full potential given the same conditions and opportunities irrespective of their Social, economic and cultural backgrounds,” Tumwebaze said.
I hv also addressed & opened a consultative mtg with leaders of PWDS from western Uganda at @Igongocc as we seek their input into the review of the national policy on disability. The old policy was passed in 2006 & so the review is intended to address the new & emerging issues pic.twitter.com/TI2twUj3Qk
— Frank K Tumwebaze,MP : Psalms 124 : 1-8 (@FrankTumwebazek) September 9, 2020
READ ALSO: Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment Launched In Bunyangabu District, Over 2500 To Benefit
Read minister Tumwebaze’s full speech.
“The Political Leaders present
Representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
Technical Officers
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
I take this opportunity to welcome you all to this regional consultative meeting on the review of the National Policy on Disability.
This review follows an earlier National Policy on Disability in Uganda 2006 and seeks to reinforce the older version while taking into account the new issues on disability in the development arena.
The Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 (PWD Act) defines disability as a permanent substantial functional limitation of daily life activities caused by physical, mental, sensory- impairment, and environment barriers resulting in limited participation.
Categorization of disabilities is in schedule C of this Act. The proposed policy revision particularly targets to address issues of vulnerability among persons with disabilities and exclusion.
When we reduce vulnerability and promote exclusion of persons with disabilities, we will be able to increase participation and protection of rights of Persons with disabilities irrespective of gender, age and disability category. This is in recognition equal opportunities for empowerment of those Persons With Disabilities can perform to their full potential given the same Conditions and opportunities irrespective of their Social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this policy therefore is to guide and inform the planning process, resource mobilization and allocation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities with respect to Persons with Disabilities’ concerns at all levels and by all actors.
Over the years, Uganda has been hailed for having a vibrant and responsive disability policy framework.
You will note that the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 as recently enacted. It will soon be disseminated and the access to develop regulations for its implementation is on.
Therefore, this policy development process is consultative because we need to include views and issues of beneficiaries of this policy if it is to impact on their lives. This is the reason as to why we are here today to collect views on the proposed priorities and strategies that address challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
I therefore urge you to utilize this opportunity and freely participate in this consultative meeting to enrich this revised policy.
During this meeting, you will also be consulting on the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
Uganda being a member state of the African Union, we are obliged to ratify this protocol. Part of the process involved in the ratification is consultation with stakeholders on the provisions in the protocol.
I request you to analyze each provision and provide feedback to my technical staff for further scrutiny before ratification.
Lastly, due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, I implore you to follow the standard operating procedures of wearing masks all the time, sanitizing and keeping a reasonable distance among yourselves.
Thank you for honoring our invitation to this meeting and wish you great deliberations
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY”
