By Juma Nsubuga
The National Union of Disabled Persons (NUDIPU) has petitioned the Equal Opportunities Commission on issues of gender and equity for persons with disabilities.
The petition highlights contemporary gender and equity issues faced by persons with disabilities.
John Chris Ninsiima NUDIPU’s programs director who represented the Executive Director, says the petition was presented under Article 4 of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities which Uganda ratified in 2008 and under Article 32 and 35 of the constitution of Uganda.
“We have profiled gander and equity issues for persons with disabilities in line with the relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies” he said
In the petition, NUDIPU expressed dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission for not consulting with any organizations of persons with disabilities during the electoral process.
“NUDIPU has noted that electoral commission has ignored direct engagement with organizations of persons with disabilities which would advise the commission on disability inclusive electoral processes across the country yet there were many lessons learned with the conduct of the 2021 general elections” Ninsiima said adding that lack of meaningful engagement with organizations for persons with disabilities contravenes the principle of effective consultation which is one of the key tenets in the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ninsiima also noted that there is lack of and non-participation of youths with disabilities in the National youth council structures.
“There are no structures to facilitate the participation of youth with disabilities in electoral processes due to lack of legislative provision in the national youth council Act” he added.
In the petition, NUDIPU wants the Ministry of Education and Sports to expedite the approval of the national inclusive education policy, increase the number of students with disabilities for affirmative action from 64 to 320 as committed in the global disability summit in 2022.
“We also want Education Ministry to fast track the implementation of the teacher education policy by making special needs education a must for all teachers undergoing continuous professional development” he added
The petitioners also want a systemic breakdown of Orthopedic workshops across the country by the Ministry of health.
The petitioners further want EOC to task the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to explain why there is no plan towards the development of disability employment quotas in this year’s annual budget.
Meanwhile the Secretary to the Commission Shaft Nassar Mukwaaya assured the petitioners that EOC will analyze the petition through the rightful procedures within the commission and make recommendations.
“Today we have received the petition from NUDIPU. They are concerned about a number of gaps that exists in various Ministries that affect people with disabilities. We are going to study it and subject it to our due processes and we shall give recommendations at an appropriate time” Mukwaaya said.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the EOC chairperson Safia Nalule Jjuuko, Mukwaaya assured the disabled fraternity that their petition was received with almost care and EOC will make recommendations and will take necessary corrective actions on people who faulted on laws and policies.
