The PWDs say that the politicians have not engaged them, even as they traverse villages in the search for votes, implying that their agenda is falling short of the interests of persons with disabilities, among them the physically handicapped, as well as those with hearing and visual impairments.
Persons with Disabilities in the greater Masaka region are calling out political parties and all persons seeking political offices to have an agenda for the special interest group as the country edges closer to the general election.
The PWDs say that the politicians have not engaged them, even as they traverse villages in the search for votes, implying that their agenda is falling short of the interests of persons with disabilities, among them the physically handicapped, as well as those with hearing and visual impairments.
Nicholas
Muwanguzi,19, a person with hearing impairments from Mpawu village in Kasaali Town Council, told URN
that to many of the politicians, the vote from the PWD block does not count, yet they are a sizeable number of the population who should be specially targeted. He adds that they cannot just vote for people whose plans are unknown to them.
Ivan
Ndawula, a sign language interpreter in Kyotera district says that the PWDs have the
capacity to support any candidate like it is in their electoral colleges at
different levels, yet the politicians have on several occasions neglected their potential
and missed the opportunity.
//Cue
in; “Banabyabufuzi eyo Sector…
Cue
out…bawulirwe nti gyebali.”//
He added that the people with hearing impairments can only vote for those who reach out to them.
//Cue
in; “Abo ba deaf…
ue
out…nabo balina choice.”//
Eddy
Kanamugire, the councillor for PWDs in Kibinge, Bukomansimbi
district, says that the radio, billboards and television messages can hardly reach those with hearing and visual impairments.
//Cue
in; “Radio nzibu kubantu…
Cue
out…bigenda mumaaso mugwanga.”//
Esther
Namulinda, another PWD in Masaka says that apart from financial
challenges, reportedly faced by politicians, the media has not given
priority to the cause and plight of PWDs.
//Cue
in; “Party leaders should…
Cue
out…their campaigns.”//
Richard
Musisi, the Executive Director of Masaka Association for Disabled Persons Living
with HIV&AIDS (MADIPHA) says that while
they remain marginalised by different communities, the PWDs hold a powerful vote that needs to be
tapped by candidates at all levels.
//Cue
in; “Those who will be…
Cue
out…objectives of that person.”//
Musisi adds that on polling day, the PWDs need helpers to accompany them to
the polling stations to vote for their favourite candidate which is expensive for
the majority.
//Cue
in; “Guides and personal…
Cue
out…for that service.”//
But Esther
Namulinda, another PWD in Masaka faults the media for not bring their issues to the forefront.
Davis Buyondo
Freelancer