UGANDA, Wakiso | Real Muloodi News | In response to alarming reports of potential land grabbing jeopardising the property of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Speaker Anita Among has instructed Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, to furnish a detailed report on lands owned by PWDs.
Members of Parliament raised concerns about people who are grabbing PWDs’ property, citing specific instances like Lweza, Wakiso District, where it is allegedly under threat from investors, purportedly with the minister’s awareness.
During the plenary sitting, Speaker Among directed Minister Amongi to present a comprehensive report on PWDs’ land ownership, extending the scope beyond Lweza due to similar complaints in various areas.
The directive came in response to a government statement presented by State Minister for PWD, Hellen Asamo, on the upcoming International Day of Persons With Disabilities celebration in Mbarara.
PWDs representative Laura Kanushu disclosed a letter allegedly instructing the distribution of four acres of PWDs’ land in Lweza to an investor, purportedly from the President.
Another letter from the gender minister, instructing the Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development to allocate over four acres to investors, raised further concerns about potential land grabbing in Mbale, Naguru, and Kampala.
Hon. Mpindi Bumali echoed these concerns, emphasising fears among PWDs regarding their land’s security. Flavia Kabahenda, Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development, reinforced these worries, revealing that land in Naguru designated for children with disabilities was also under threat.
In response to Minister Asamo’s statement, Kabahenda urged the government to reconsider taxes on diapers, which are crucial for people with disabilities. She emphasised the need for affordable access to diapers for those with spinal bifida and the elderly.
Minister Asamo underscored the urgency of a comprehensive policy for schools to provide facilities for students with disabilities.
She proposed exploring local production of affordable organic diapers and urged the Ministry of Education to implement innovations such as online sign language tutorials.
Speaker Among directed the introduction of a motion mandating all schools, public and private, to establish facilities for PWDs, emphasising that non-compliant institutions should not be permitted to operate.
The parliamentary response signals a determination to address the reported threats to PWDs’ land, safeguarding the rights and property of this vulnerable community.
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