WHEELCHAIRS RESTORE HOPE FOR PWDs IN ARUA DISTRICT

Persons with disabilities celebrate mobility tools during handover at World Action Fund Offices.

 By Dramadri Federick

Arua

At least 81 persons with physical disabilities in Arua District have received wheelchairs aimed at improving their mobility, independence, and access to essential services.

The support comes at a time when more than 163,000 persons with disabilities in the West Nile region experience difficulties in walking or climbing stairs according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).

For many beneficiaries, the donation marks a turning point in their daily lives.

Geria Hurry, one of the recipients recalled the difficulties he faced while trying to access social services due to limited mobility.

“Before I received this wheelchair, it was difficult for me to go to churches, schools, marketplaces, and access health services. I would either be carried by someone or roll myself to access services. Now that I have received the wheelchair, it will be easy for me to move around and even see doctors on my own. That is going to be amazing for my life,” Geria said.

UBOS notes that people living with physical impairments continue to face major barriers that limit their independence, social inclusion, and access to services such as education, healthcare, and employment.

These challenges have contributed to high levels of poverty, unemployment, and marginalization among persons with disabilities across the country.

Another beneficiary, Asianzu Agnes, shared how her disability affected her education. Asianzu was forced to drop out of school while in Primary Five because she lacked a wheelchair to help her move to and from school, especially during harsh weather conditions.

She said walking long distances in heavy rains and under the scorching sun became unbearable, eventually forcing her to abandon her studies.

However, she now feel that her hopes have been rekindled after receiving a wheelchair which has restored her independence and opened new opportunities in her life.

Frida Grace, also a beneficiary, described the challenges she faces when trying to earn a living. She said traveling long distances to local markets has been extremely difficult without proper mobility support.

Grace expressed optimism that the wheelchair will ease her movement and enable her to access markets and other social services more easily.

Beneficiaries trained on best practices of handling the wheel chairs(Photo by Federick Dramadri)

Officials in the district say the intervention will significantly improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

The Arua District Community Development Officer, Ayikoru Jeanlongo, welcomed the support, describing the wheelchairs as a meaningful step toward restoring dignity and improving inclusion for persons with disabilities.

“The wheelchairs are a gift to persons with disabilities, especially during this month dedicated to celebrating women. I believe they will now live with dignity and be able to access different environments wherever they want,” Ayikoru said.

Statistics show that disability remains a major social and economic concern in the country.

While the highest number of persons with disabilities are below 15 years due to Uganda’s young population, the prevalence increases significantly with age, affecting nearly 40 percent of people aged 65 and above.

Additionally, Development Pathways published that approximately 22 percent of unemployed Ugandans are persons with disabilities, and households headed by persons with disabilities experience poverty rates that are about 30 percent highssser than the national average.

Arua district Woman MP Paparu Lillian hopes to lobby more support to the people in the district.

Meanwhile, the Paparu Lillian Obiale, the Woman Member of Parliament for Arua District, said the wheelchairs were secured through lobbying support from the World Action Fund as part of efforts to empower persons with disabilities in the district.

She explained that the distribution has been conducted in phases to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

“In the first phase we gave 14 wheelchairs, then 29, and later 30. I also personally bought eight wheelchairs with my own money for the beneficiaries. They need a lot of support, which is why I made this a priority, and I will continue supporting them,” Paparu said.

According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, about 13.6 percent of Ugandans approximately 5.5 million people aged two years and above live with some form of disability. The prevalence is higher among females at 14.3 percent compared to 12.9 percent among males, with rural areas recording higher rates at 15 percent compared to urban areas.