Nudipu, UPC honour Emong, ask for govt help

KAMPALA.

Despite speech difficulties, Robert Mugisha, a former student at Gulu University, raised a classic case of Uganda’s discriminative sports environment.

“Every year, every student paid a sports fee but those with disabilities were not included in the sports program. They never even sat on the university sports council,” he said during a press conference at the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (Nudipu) in Bukoto yesterday.

Nudipu and the Uganda Paralympic Committee (UPC) used David Emong’s victory as a bargaining chip to task government for more support to disability sport.

Two weeks ago, Emong won a gold in the 1500m T46 race at the World Para Athletics Championship in London but he was the only Ugandan athlete at the event. Hence, Nudipu and UPC believe that more facilitation and a generally accessible and inclusive sporting environment will enhance the potential of more athletes with disabilities, and increase chances for international medals.

In 2014, the UPC petitioned parliament for changes in the education sector and funding of disability sports. Some of the key prayers included:

A special budget because disability sport is very expensive; membership on the National Council of Sports; increased accessibility in sports facilities; that the current National Physical Education and Sports Policy is reviewed to specifically include Children with disabilities, among others.

Mpindi Bumali, the Paralympics president said while parliament promised action after six months, nothing has changed.

“But I’m hopeful that our proposal will finally be implemented…it’s our right to engage in sports and we have shown real potential, “he said.