Uganda's Ministry of Gender and Parliamentary Forum Orient New MPs on Disability Inclusion

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in partnership with the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities, has provided orientation training to newly elected Members of Parliament on social protection and disability inclusion. The training, held at Parliament, aimed to equip legislators with knowledge of Uganda's disability-related policies and programs. A key focus was the National Child Disability Assistance Programme and its implementation framework. The program seeks to strengthen support for children with disabilities, particularly those with severe disabilities and high support needs.

The orientation training provided a platform for legislators to appreciate the challenges affecting persons with disabilities and the need to promote disability-inclusive policies, legislation, and government programs. Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Alex Ndeezi, called on the newly elected MPs to take an active role in advocating for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. Ndeezi urged legislators to remain vigilant in ensuring that disability concerns are integrated into government planning, budgeting, and implementation of development programs.

The partnership between the Ministry and the Parliamentary Forum underscores the importance of collaboration between government and Parliament in advancing disability inclusion and strengthening social protection systems. Through their legislative, oversight, and budgetary responsibilities, MPs are expected to play a critical role in ensuring that persons with disabilities, especially children with significant support needs, benefit from national development programs. The orientation comes amid continued efforts to promote equal opportunities, protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and ensure that no one is left behind in Uganda's development agenda.

The training also provided a platform for legislators to learn about the challenges affecting persons with disabilities and the need for increased legislative support, advocacy, and resource mobilization. Hon. Alex Ndeezi challenged MPs to mobilize resources and strengthen oversight of interventions targeting persons with disabilities to ensure that intended beneficiaries receive the necessary support. The Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities plays a critical role in promoting disability inclusion and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities have a critical role to play in promoting disability inclusion and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. The orientation training is part of a broader effort to promote equal opportunities, protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and ensure that no one is left behind in Uganda's development agenda. The partnership between the Ministry and the Parliamentary Forum is expected to yield positive results in promoting disability inclusion.

The National Child Disability Assistance Programme seeks to strengthen support for children with disabilities, particularly those with severe disabilities and high support needs. The program's implementation framework and the role of Parliament in ensuring its effective delivery were key areas of focus during the orientation training. MPs are expected to play a critical role in ensuring that the program is effectively implemented and that its intended beneficiaries receive the necessary support.

The orientation training has equipped legislators with knowledge of Uganda's disability-related policies and programs, and they are expected to play a critical role in promoting disability inclusion and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. The partnership between the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities is expected to yield positive results in promoting disability inclusion and strengthening social protection systems.

Key points

• The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Persons with Disabilities have partnered to provide orientation training to newly elected Members of Parliament on social protection and disability inclusion.