Nebbi District Officials Given September Deadline to Count Persons with Disabilities

Nebbi District Chairperson George Othuba has issued a firm directive to all Community Development Officers (CDOs) to finalize an accurate count of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the district by the close of September. This initiative stems from the critical lack of reliable data, which Othuba highlighted as a significant impediment to effective planning and the equitable delivery of services.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement event, Othuba emphasized that the district has long struggled without precise statistics on the PWD population. This data deficit makes it challenging to tailor and implement programs effectively, impacting vital government initiatives such as special grants, the provision of assistive devices, and inclusive education and health services.

The absence of accurate numbers means that many PWDs risk being excluded from essential interventions. Othuba used an analogy, stating, “What is failing us is we don’t know how many we are. However good a mother you are, you can’t feed children whose number you don’t know.” He stressed that this data collection is a directive from the District Executive Committee (DEC) and falls squarely within the CDOs’ purview due to their close community ties.

Humanity & Inclusion, represented by project officer Annet Babirye, acknowledged the broader challenge of data collection for PWDs, even as their PROTECT-SRHR project conducts its own sampling. She urged greater collaborative efforts from all stakeholders. Nebbi’s Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Donald Owachgiu, also noted the persistent issue of stigma surrounding disability, recalling past societal attitudes that treated PWDs as outcasts. He commended ongoing advocacy for disability rights.

Preliminary data from the PROTECT-SRHR project identified approximately 619 PWDs by May, with specific age breakdowns available, though the exercise remains ongoing.

Source: Nile Post