Adopt better health measures to prevent disabilities - Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has challenged Ugandans to adopt better health measures to prevent disabilities. 

In a message delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo at Kumi Boma grounds, to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Museveni emphasised that preservation is better than cure.

"Prevention is better than cure. Let's prevent disabilities by adopting better health lifestyles, adhering to antenatal care, immunisation, and responsible living among the youth," Museveni said.

The President also highlighted the government's commitment to championing the rights of persons with disabilities.

"The NRM government is the vanguard of change. We are committed to ensuring that service-delivering institutions are fully accessible to all persons with disabilities," he added.

Museveni also urged leaders to rally persons living with disabilities to join government programs aimed at eradicating poverty. "The NRM government will continue to walk with you in all focus," he explained.

State Minister for Persons with Disabilities, Hellen Asamo, noted that the number of persons with disabilities begging on the streets has reduced due to government programs. 

"There were times when the number of PWDS begging on the streets was so much, which has reduced, you rarely find them on the streets again," she said.

Asamo also requested the government to provide education support to persons with disabilities across universities, citing that the number of persons with disabilities is small.

Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, acknowledged the invaluable contribution of persons with disabilities. 

"Uganda stands tall on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities," she said.

Ms Amongi noted that 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, with Africa having 80 million and Uganda having 5 million. 

"It's unfortunate that in rural areas, people still think that some cases of disabilities are caused by witchcraft," she added.

British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, emphasized that persons with disabilities face more barriers to equal participation in society. 

"They are less likely to have a job or complete education, more likely to express poverty, and poor health outcomes," she said.

Chesney thanked the government for extending empowerment grants to persons with disabilities. She also cited a report by the International Labour Organization, which shows that the global economy loses $1.9 trillion annually due to the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the economy.

UNFPA Programme Coordinator for Uganda, Laura Criado, said that people with disabilities are twice as likely to suffer from poverty. 

"The global economy loses over $900 million due to the exclusion of people with disabilities," she added.