Ms Kyozira flagging off the run
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The increasing number of road accidents and other natural calamities has meant thet the number of Ugandans in need of prosthetic limbs had doubled many times over.
Its upon this background that the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) recently launched a campaign aimed at raising Shs 800 million to go towards procuring prosthetic limbs for approximately 200 amputees.
Prosthetic limbs are artificial devices that replace a missing body part, such as an arm, hand, leg, or foot.
Esther Kyozira, the Executive Director of NUDIPU, made the appeal on the sidelines of the recently held marathon, under the theme “Promoting Disability-Inclusive Healthcare Services.”
She said the required support is particularly for those who lost limbs due to road accidents, diabetes, and other preventable conditions.
“We should urgently draw attention to persistent challenges facing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda, by raising funds for prosthetic limbs,” she said.
She said that many amputees in Uganda lack access to artificial limbs, relegating them to lives of indignity and isolation.
The runner brace themselves for the hash run
Kyozira warned that without meaningful public engagement, such persons risk being left behind.
“We should embrace the chance to demonstrate that inclusion is not just a slogan but a responsibility we should all take up,” she said.
Kyozira appreciated government for the announcement that it will undertake a new survey to ascertain the true number of disabled people in the country.
“This survey will revisit households that reported PWDs during the 2024 census and capture more nuanced data—including types of disability, access to services, and rehabilitation needs,” she said.
Kyozira further noted that the survey will be an opportunity to fill the data gaps that hinder evidence-based policy and programming.
“Accurate data empowers us to advocate for assistive devices, accessible infrastructure, and meaningful inclusion. Without it, our voices risk being drowned out,” she said.
According to the 2024 national census, Uganda has 5.5 million people living with disabilities, accounting for 13.2% of the population, with over 3 million being women.
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