By: Ismael Kasooha

MUBENDE

President Yoweri Museveni assured people living with disabilities (PWDs) that the NRM government would continue supporting them in the socio-economic transformation agenda.

“NRM liberated you and brought you to leadership positions as councillors, council leaders and Members of Parliament. NRM introduced scholarships for learners with disabilities. NRM introduced grants for persons with disabilities and many other affirmative action programmes. So I want to assure you that beyond protecting these gains, we are adding more benefits to compensate for your difficulties,” noted the president.

The Premier Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah joined by the State Minister for the Elderly persons Domic Gidudu Mafabi and other leaders during the International Day celebrations

This was contained in the President’s message during the International Day commemorations of PWDs held at Mubende National Teachers College delivered by the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, on 03rd December 2025.

The President congratulated all the Persons with Disabilities in Uganda for making it to this day.

“As we observe this day of Persons with Disabilities, we wish to recognise your contributions to the development of our country. I also salute all Leaders of Persons with Disabilities and other leaders at different levels, for the several achievements in the lives of Persons with Disabilities,” said Museveni.

The President explained that in the 1980s, severe disability prevalence was estimated to be above 25%, with many children with disabling conditions taken to traditional healers including witch doctors for solutions.

“When NRM came to power and launched a war against immunizable diseases, the disability prevalence has now reduced to 3.4% for severe disabilities and to 13.2% for less severe disabilities,” noted the President.

The Premier Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah handing over a certificate of appreciation to the UNICEF representative during the PWDs commemorations at Mubende NTC

He further observed that there were four areas to improve the situation that included Prevention of disability, Early rehabilitation (where prevention is not feasible), Socio-economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Compliance with NRM ideology on affirmative action and the 4-acre model.

“Fellow Countrymen and women, this year’s theme is, therefore, spot on and I want to thank the Ministry for the wise conceptualization of the theme, entitled. “Wealth Creation Programmes: A key to socio-economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” he noted.

The President urged all PWDs to enroll for the Parish development model (PDM) which he had brought to eradicate poverty in addition to other programmes such as Emyooga.

“When we heard that Persons with Disabilities were complaining about unfair competition in PDM, with the able bodied, I advised that we should introduce extra affirmative action (“okubegera”) for you. Under the Parish model, we have introduced a top up of 500,000/= to compensate for the difficulties and extra costs a person with disability faces while doing business,” Museveni noted.

The Premier Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah handing over a certificate of appreciation to the Mubende District LC V chairman Michael Ntambi during the PWDs commemorations

He said that in addition, there was another affirmative action grant (“Kubegera”) called the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities.  “This focuses on groups of Persons with Disabilities who are weak and prefer to apply for funds and work separately based on their nature of disability. Each group of about 5 to 10 people gets Ugx 5million to support both income generation and costs of disability management,” he emphasized.

The President was happy to hear that the few leaders of Persons with Disabilities, who were taken to Kyankwanzi for leadership training, were now opening the eyes of our people. 

“We need to ask hard questions to selfish politicians who come around to confuse our people and derail them from our development agenda,” he explained.

The President said that there were many testimonies of Persons with Disabilities, who had transformed their lives using the 4-care model, let us learn from them.

“Our land here is fertile; so those with about 4 acres can plant coffee, fruits, pasture for cattle, and food crops. This facilitates a self-sustaining cycle where animal manure works as fertilizers, then you overcome poverty,” he advised.

The function was graced by the State Minister for Disability Asamo Hellen, State Minister for Elderly Mafabi Gidudu, local leaders from several districts in the country and other international guests.

End