Gender official calls for extra intention when engaging PWDs

Patience Kaitesi, a rehabilitation officer at the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has advised that in dealing with persons with disabilities, there should be extra intention and attention to imagine being in their shoes.

Short of that, we assume too much and leave them excluded and disadvantaged. She was reacting to Dr Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, director of Makerere University Innovations Hub, who reported that over 200 young PWDs were reached out and invited to the function but only 16 reported.

Mbidde, however, was pleased that none of the 16 present was a student of Makerere University, which reflected well on the university’s attempt to reach outside communities.

Kaitetsi stated: “We should be intentional and active to the end when involving PWDs. We have to imagine the dynamics and circumstances they live in, which include lack of full independence, prejudices and discrimination, and lack of necessary facilities. For example, we are here at a function of engaging with PWDs, but as has been pointed out, at least one of us is not following because we didn’t provide a sign language interpreter…. When we send out an invitation, do we follow up to see if we can help the invitee overcome the challenges they are facing?”

She argued that the problem of negative attitude is not with the PWDs only. She called for intentional collection and utilization of data on PWDs, setting up platforms, challenges and programmes specifically targeting PWDs so as to increase their visibility, raise their self-esteem, identify their talent potentials, and leave no one behind.

The criticism and counsel were given at the launch of a needs assessment survey to be conducted by the Innovativeness of Young Persons with Disability in Uganda (IYPWDs) project at at Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University on June 30, 2023.

The project, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, is based at Makerere University. Mbidde, who is its principal investigator, said its first phase started in January 2023 and is due to close in December 2023. She pledged that Makerere University is ready help young PWDs develop their entrepreneurship talents and businesses.

“This is the first of its kind at Makerere, but the journey has just started. We will continue inviting you, market your products and services on our website, help you in designing and registration, and other services. With our many partners in this project and other projects at the university, we advise and will assist young PWDs acquire digital literacy and engage in online businesses because that is where the future lies.”