By Alfred Opio
PALLISA — Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Pallisa District have been urged to form organized groups in order to benefit from government poverty alleviation programs aimed at improving household incomes and livelihoods.
The call was made by Charles Obela during an engagement meeting that brought together persons with disabilities from different parts of the district to discuss challenges affecting their welfare and possible solutions through government support initiatives.
Speaking during the meeting, Obela expressed concern that many persons with disabilities continue missing out on government programs because they have failed to organize themselves into recognized groups capable of accessing funding and development opportunities.
According to him, several government programs targeting vulnerable communities are available, but many PWDs in Pallisa are not benefiting due to lack of collective organization and participation.
“Government programs are available to support vulnerable people, but persons with disabilities must first organize themselves into groups so that they can easily benefit,” Obela said.
He noted that poverty levels among persons with disabilities remain high in many communities across the district, partly because many PWDs have not fully embraced group-based economic activities.
Obela explained that forming organized groups would help persons with disabilities access financial support, training opportunities, and assistance from both government and non-governmental organizations.
He added that once beneficiaries receive support, they can establish income-generating projects and small businesses capable of improving their daily incomes and standards of living.
The district leader further criticized the tendency by some persons with disabilities to rely on begging instead of engaging in productive economic activities.
According to him, disability should not prevent individuals from participating in development programs and improving their livelihoods.
“Many successful people with disabilities across the country have transformed their lives through hard work, determination, and proper organization,” he emphasized.
However, some persons with disabilities who attended the meeting disagreed with Obela’s remarks, arguing that they have previously attempted to organize themselves but have often been denied adequate support and consideration.
The participants revealed that discrimination and negative attitudes toward persons with disabilities continue to affect their ability to access opportunities even when they meet the required conditions.
“We try to form groups and participate, but many people still underestimate our abilities because of our physical conditions,” one participant explained.
Others noted that some officials and community members wrongly assume that persons with disabilities are incapable of managing projects or utilizing funds effectively.
The affected individuals called upon government and development partners to intentionally prioritize persons with disabilities during the implementation of poverty reduction programs.
They also appealed for increased sensitization campaigns aimed at fighting stigma and changing public perceptions about disability.
Some participants further requested authorities to simplify procedures involved in accessing government support programs to make participation easier for persons with disabilities.
The meeting concluded with calls for stronger unity among persons with disabilities and improved collaboration between government leaders, development organizations, and communities to uplift the welfare of PWDs in Pallisa District.
Leaders at the meeting emphasized that empowering persons with disabilities economically would not only reduce poverty levels but also strengthen inclusion and community development across the district.
