Mukono bans buildings not accessible by PWDs

Mukono.

Mukono District leaders were on Thursday taken through the by-laws forbidding any further construction of public buildings and facilities without pathways for people with disabilities.

The district leaders, including local council chairpersons, engineers and councillors, were sensitised about the by-laws by the Uganda National Action for Physical Disabilities (UNAPD) during an orientation session for the new district executive to help in implementation of the by-laws. The by-laws were passed by the district council early this year and are meant to help PWDs access all public places. UNAPD first met the leaders at Nabaale Sub-county and later went to the district headquarters.

The district chairperson, Mr Andrew Ssenyonga, said all leaders should monitor public places to ensure they have accessible ramps for PWDs.

“This law is going to be implemented and we shall make sure that it is gazetted because it helps all of us who are always getting accidents all the time,” Mr Ssenyonga said.

Engineers cautioned
Nabaale Sub-county chief Fred Sserunjogi said no payment will be given to engineers who construct buildings without ramps or lifts for PWDs.

“As leaders in this district, we should not pay anybody who constructs a public building without considering the PWDs,” he said.

Mukono District vice chairperson Stephen Mufuwa decried the rampant violation of rights of PWDs in the country, where public institutions such as schools, churches, mosques and hospitals are still being constructed without pathways to enable accessibility by PWDs.

“This motion was passed and we are going to implement it. We want all local governments to stop approving building plans of structures such as hospitals, schools, supermarkets, public toilets and recreation centres that have no access ways for PWDS because they violate their rights to use such facilities hence discriminating against them,” Mr Mufuwa said.

Mukono UNAPD coordinator Sylivia Nasanga said the by-law was prompted by Nabaale Sub-county and approved by the district council.