According to Asamo, many leaders in the disability movement have become comfortable with the small positions they hold in their respective organizations.
People with Disabilities have been tasked to aggressively get involved in leadership roles outside of disability.
The State Minister of Gender in charge of People with Disabilities Hellen Asamo says that this is the most effective way PWDs will advocate to acquire what rightfully belongs to them.
Asamo was speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organized by the British Council in Uganda. The event was under the theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities, Especially Women and Girls, for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
Asamo said that PWDs must take the initiative and choose themselves to lead because leadership is not given; it is attained. “Leadership has to start with you. There is nobody that is going to give you leadership on a platter,” she stated, adding that one has to be able to identify themselves first.
According to Asamo, many leaders in the disability movement have become comfortable with the small positions they hold in their respective organizations leaving other roles to the rest of the population.
//Cue in; Do we improve …
Cue out; … being a woman.”//
The minister also urged them to deliberately build the necessary networks that should positively contribute to their leadership aspirations. She wants PWDs to be up-to-date with the available opportunities, which they must scale up in their communities promptly to avoid lamenting and regrets. “Are we aware of the opportunities that we have? Are we knowledgeable about them, or do we come in at the end of the issue? We have the numbers; we can demand enlightenment from the responsible offices, not wait and lament at completion. This will not help us get to leadership.”
Millicent Mugabi, the Country Director of the British Council in Uganda, pointed out that the theme of the day resonates with the British Council’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
She emphasized that the council thrives on ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in all its programming, including arts and culture, English, and exams. This is implemented along with other organizations, including CSOs, academia, and government agencies, among others. “This is aimed at changing both physical and attitudinal barriers that hinder PWD’s full societal participation,” she said.
Mugabi says women and PWDs suffer denial of the right to education, health care, and economic opportunities. While acknowledging the achievements in the disabilities movement, she called for solutions to systemic barriers that are prevalent in this space and a commitment to addressing them for a more inclusive society.
Dennis Kasule Ssebunya
Freelancer