In a bid to avail affordable education to as many citizens as possible, Government of Uganda has fronted the idea of affirmative action.
Each year, 4,000 students are awarded a chance to pursue university education for free, and this number includes minority groups like people with disabilities (PWDs).
The government has committed to increasing the number of university scholarships for PWDs from 64 to 320 per year in the next three years through the education ministry.
In a statement released on December 3, 2022, Vice-President Jessica Alupo said the scholarships will be in addition to the existing merit and general district quota-based affirmative action measures.
Alupo made the pledge while presiding over the International Day of PWDs celebrations in Kole district on Saturday.
According to the New vision, she added that the Government was taking a look at the status of PWDs with the aim of improving their lives as she cited some of their challenges including the lack of participation in decision-making, poverty and the lack of access to information and social services.
She challenged leaders for PWDS at all levels to get their priorities right and to support the Government in the journey of meaningful inclusion of PWDs.
“You are duty bound to mobilize and sensitize PWDs around the development programmes initiated by the Government. This will enable PWDs to join the money economy and attain sustainable livelihoods,” Alupo said.
