Written By | Jovita Hasto
Some of the people with diability who received wheel chairs in Ibanda,Kazo and Kitagwenda districts. FILE: JOVITA HASTO
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A total of 457 elderly people and children living with disabilities in Ibanda, Kazo and Kitagwenda districts have received wheelchairs from Father's Heart Mobility Ministry to improve mobility and enable children with disabilities to access education.
The beneficiaries, according to the donors and local leaders, include elderly people whose mobility has been affected by conditions such as accidents and stroke, as well as children who have missed school because their disabilities make it difficult for them to access classrooms and travel long distances to school.
Patrick Turyamureeba, the Mayor of Kitagwenda Town Council in Kitagwenda District, said efforts to secure the wheelchairs began in 2024 through a partnership with Father's Heart Mobility Ministry.
"We started lobbying for these wheelchairs way back in 2024 and partnering with Father's Heart Mobility Ministry, where we put proposals to find aid for these people living with disabilities. Today, we are happy that the wheelchairs are here. Kitagwenda is receiving 87 of them," he said.
Turyamureeba urged caregivers to ensure that the wheelchairs are used for their intended purpose and cautioned against selling them.
He also called on caregivers to treat people with disabilities with dignity and avoid discrimination.
"This is for the people taking care of people with disabilities because the wheelchair is not automated and needs to be pushed. Their role is to ensure that they take care of them. Don't take advantage of them by selling the wheelchairs to get money. Instead, handle them with care and do not segregate them. Disability is something that can happen naturally and cannot be avoided," he said.
Ibanda receives 320 wheelchairs
Godwins Oulanya Muhumuza, the Speaker of Ibanda District Council, said Ibanda received 320 wheelchairs intended to support elderly people and children living with disabilities.
Muhumuza said many children with disabilities have faced discrimination and called on parents and communities to give them opportunities to attend school, discover their talents and participate fully in community life.
"Ibanda has also benefited from this project, especially parents who have children who had missed school because they had no means of getting them to school. Some parents have been hiding these children from attending school, going to prayers and participating in other activities. I want to call upon parents to stop hiding these children and ensure that they can unleash their talents and potential," he said.
He said many families cannot afford to purchase wheelchairs, making the donation particularly important to low-income households.
"We have a population of people that is poor and they cannot, let's say, contribute Shs500,000 for such a wheelchair. These were given free of charge, and indeed parents and elderly people living with disabilities are going to benefit," he added.
Wheelchair to help child return to school
Annet Kyomugisha, a mother of a 12-year-old boy living with a disability, said her son stopped attending school while in Primary Two after developing a condition that affected his mobility.
She said the wheelchair would enable him to return to school, where students often have to travel long distances in Kitagwenda District.
"I was hurt when my son developed strange conditions that affected his mobility. He also stopped going to school, but now this wheelchair is a saviour. He was performing better, and I know when he resumes, all shall be good on his side," she said.
Call for an end to stigma
Francis Mulwana, Director of Father's Heart Mobility Ministry, thanked parents and relatives who have supported family members living with disabilities despite stigma and discrimination.
He urged communities to give people with disabilities opportunities to participate in society and demonstrate their abilities.
"I want to thank the parents of the children and relatives of the people with disabilities. You have stood strong against segregation and stigma of all kinds. Let this not bring anxiety or depression, but be a move towards letting the public know that such people can do big things if given opportunities," he said.
Mulwana said the ministry plans to extend the exercise to other areas, including Kitgum.
Florence Mugisa, a resident of Kitagwenda, also called on communities to stop using derogatory names against people with disabilities.
"It is not good to nickname these people because such insults affect their confidence. Such people need to be loved and taken care of. It has been a challenge in our communities for people living with disabilities to fully live with the rest of the people," she said.
Parents of children living with disabilities welcomed the wheelchair donation, saying their children had been forced to stop attending school because of mobility challenges.
The beneficiaries and local leaders said the wheelchairs would not only improve mobility but also help children return to school and enable people living with disabilities to participate more fully in their communities.
