Steven Ariong, Moroto – A total of 250 people with disabilities in the two districts of Karamoja region, namely Nabilatuk and Moroto, have received wheelchairs from Fathers Heart Mobility Ministry, valued at over shs 150 million, to assist them with their daily activities.
The beneficiaries of the wheelchairs were primarily elderly persons who are no longer able to work.
Mr. Francis Mugwanya, the founder of the organization, said Karamoja was one of the regions that have been supported. He encouraged the people of Karamoja to stop raiding and killing each other so that more people would be willing to support the region’s development.
“We get scared to come to Karamoja whenever we read news about killings. Please let’s stop and advocate for development,” he said.
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mr. Peter Lokeris Aimat, praised the organization for supporting elderly and disabled persons, saying it was only under the NRM government that people with disabilities were being catered for.
Minister Lokeris emphasized that disability does not equate to inability, stating that there are disabled people who are strong and capable of working. He added that they need to be supported.
Mr. Lokeris advised the beneficiaries of the wheelchairs to protect them, saying they were not for sale.
John Munyes, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude, saying that he was often locked in the house when others went to work in the garden.
“I can now be able to move and do my domestic work around the compound because in the past, when people went to the garden, they would lock me inside the house,” he said.
