Local Governments and Social Protection for PWDs
in Uganda: Opportunities and Challenges
By
KALANZI WILLIAM
Makerere University, Uganda
Tel:+256-702832034
Email:williamkalanzi@gmail.com
Paper outline
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Introduction
Research scope
Methodology
Key findings
Policy implication
INTRODUCTION
• According to the 2006 Uganda National Policy on
Disability, Local authorities are mandated to
coordinate, supervise and mobilize resources for
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), initiate and
implement appropriate interventions among
others. In order to support the above mandate,
the central government provides a Special Grant
for Persons with Disabilities (SGPWD) as a social
safety net to ensure that PWDs establish income
generating activities of their choice that can
bolster their incomes, reduce inequality and
unemployment.
Introduction
• Despite the above effort, it has been observed
that the general socio-economic status of
PWDs especially women and children with
disabilities in Uganda is still poor. They have
limited access to employment opportunities,
minimal or no savings, low literacy levels, poor
health and mainly rely on labor incomes.
introduction
• The concern of this paper was to establish the
income generating opportunities created by the
special grant for persons with disabilities using
Wakiso District Local Government as a case study.
• The paper also aimed at identifying the
challenges faced in the implementation of this
social protection instrument and the strategies
that can be adopted to improve the performance
of local governments in the delivery of social
protection services.
Research scope
• The study was conducted in Wakiso district in six
selected associations of PWDs. These included:
• Nangabo sub-county Association of PWDs
• Abalema Tweyambe United Group
• Naluvule PWDs Group
• Lugo PWDS Development Grop
• Nangabo Parents Association of children with
disabilities.
• Kalita Disabled women's network
• The study considered the period 2010-2013.
Methodology
• This was an exploratory research that used a
qualitative approach to data collection and
analysis. A total of 50 key informants were
selected through purposive sampling.
• The techniques of data collection included:
• Key informant interviews( district officials and
members of associations of PWDs)
• Review of documents
KEY FINDINGS
• The special grant for PWDs is a national
program that operates in all districts in
Uganda. The government allocates Ushs.
3billion that is shared by all higher local
governments.
• Funds are allocated through the District
Special Grants Committee which is chaired by
the Chief Administrative Officer(CAO)
OBJECTIVES OF THE SPECIAL GRANT FOR PWDs
• To aid PWDs to establish income generating
activities for employment creation and
improvement of incomes
• To provide seed capital for income generating
activities
Activities supported by the Special Grant for
PWDs as set in the National Guidelines(2011)
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Agricultural production
Trade, micro and small scale businesses
Environmental, cultural heritage and tourism
Telecommunication
Metal and wood work
Apiary
Horticulture
Fisheries etc.
Grant Guiding Principles
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Group based grant
Evidence of ability to utilize the grant
Vulnerability reduction
Gender equity promotion
Disability balance
Category of Beneficiaries
• Groups/ associations of PWDs
• Parents’ Associations of children with
disabilities
• Associations / groups of Albinos
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPECIAL GRANT FOR PWDs
IN WAKISO DISTRICT
• Wakiso district first received the special grant in the financial
year 2009/2010
• Several PWD groups have been given the grant after
presenting the following requirements:
 Constitution
 Having at least 10 members who have paid membership fee
 Certificate of registration
 Letter to confirm their residence
 Bank account
 Project Proposal
 The group should have been operational for at least one year
Distribution of the grant to PWD Groups in Wakiso
• District PWD Grants committee receives proposals
from groups of PWDs. They vet the proposals and
forward successful ones to the CAO for funding.
• Successful PWD groups receive the grant on a quarterly
basis
• The categories of PWDs that have received the grant in
Wakiso district were: physically disabled(80%),
deaf(15%), blind(5%). Other categories that have not
benefited include: leprosy, albinos, epilepsy, dumb etc
(These are also recognized by the policy).
Participation of women and children with
disabilities
• Women with disabilities have actively participated in the
special grant projects e.g in groups like Naluvule PWD
Group, Kalita Disabled women's network, and Nangabo
Sub-county Association of PWDs.
• Children with disabilities benefit from the grant through
associations of parents of children with disabilities and
charity organizations such as Angels Centre for Children
with Special Needs.
• However, no special consideration is given to the above
categories in the allocation of the grant
Income generating activities set up in
Wakiso district using the special grant
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Poultry keeping
Candle making
Functional hire services
Piggery
Tailoring
Metal works
Shoe repair
Challenges faced in the implementation of Special
Grant activities in Wakiso District
• Limited funds given to PWD groups-less than
ushs.2million
• Challenge of writing project proposals
• Limited skills to manage project activities
• Preference to share the small grant but not to
have a single project
• Delay in the distribution of application forms
to the sub-county
Challenges…..cont’d
• Group conflicts related to financial
management
• Delay in the distribution of funds to successful
groups.
• No formal meetings with the council for PWDs
at sub-county.
• Demand for kickbacks by local government
technical staff
Policy and Program implication
• There is need to increase the grant amount
• Allocate funds for training PWDs in project
planning and management
• Policy change in the distribution fundsadoption of a model project in each subcounty
• Creating clear channels of communication
• All categories of PWDs should considered for
the grant
Conclusion
• The special grant has to a smaller extent
improved the standards of living of PWDs in
Wakiso district. Strategies are therefore
required to ensure sustainability of the grant
supported activities in order to scale-up its
impact.
Thank you so much
• Merry Xmas and a prosperous new year