PWDs call for special consideration during elections
He also informed the community members that the polling officials are always trained on how to handle the elderly and PWDs.
Masindi: Persons with disability (PWDs) in Masindi district are appealing to the government for special consideration during the forthcoming elections.
The call was made on Friday, May 24, 2024, during an interface meeting on the electoral process organized by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) held at the Kolping Hotel in Masindi town.
Robinah Katusiime, the district female councillor representing the PWDs, said that in most cases they are left behind during the elections since the polling stations lack sign language interpreters to cater to the deaf and unfriendly poll clerks to support the blind, among others.
She also asked the electoral commission to ensure that they start voter education sensitization early, stressing that some PWDs miss voting due to changes in the voter register.
Katusiime further asked the Electoral Commission to consider organizing the election of district representatives at the sub-county or parish level since PWDs face difficulties in moving to the district for elections.
‘’The electoral commission should also ensure that at least every village or cell has a polling station because we face difficulties in movement and some PWDs miss voting due to distance.’’
Milton Isaac Atugonza, the Chairperson of the Council for Disabilities Masindi district, asked the government to create more positions for members of parliament representing the PWDs, at least at the regional level, in order for their voices to be heard in parliament.
Atugonza also asked the electoral commission to give opportunities to PWDs during their recruitment exercises ahead of elections.
According to Atugonza, one representative in parliament is not enough to present their issues, but he believes that regional representatives would address their issues and solve them.
Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha, the Bujenje County MP, said that they are expecting the electoral forms to be brought to parliament for discussion, but they have delayed.
He noted that once they are brought to parliament, they will ensure all issues raised in the meeting are included to favor the PWDs during the electoral process.
‘’PWDs face a lot of challenges during elections, and good enough, some of these challenges can be addressed. I will push to ensure that what has been discussed in this meeting is solved.’’
Joab Businge, the Masindi Municipal MP, asserted that the size of parliament should be cut to two MPs per district and pave space for regional members of parliament from special interest groups like the PWDs in order to solve their challenges.
Evarist Twinomujuni, the returning officer at Masindi district electoral commission, said that there is a new program of ‘villagizing’ that focuses on having at least a polling station in every village to reduce the long distances walked by community members.
He also informed the community members that the polling officials are always trained on how to handle the elderly and PWDs.
Twinomujuni also encouraged competent community members to apply for job positions when the electoral commission begins recruiting to address the language barrier gap.
FOWODE, in partnership with the Uganda National NGO Forum, is implementing the strengthening citizens’ engagement in elections project in the Acholi, Bukedi, and Bunyoro regions.
Moureen Kyomuhendo, the Programs Officer for FOWODE, said the project aims to contribute to building a proactive and engaged citizenry capable of influencing electoral and political processes and holding governance institutions accountable.
According to Kyomuhendo, in the past four years, the project has increased citizens’ participation in electoral and political processes through the citizen engagement model, especially the ‘Topowa’ and ‘Ekyoto’ conversations.
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