By Mulengera Reporters
Elected leaders in KCCA’s Nakawa Division have commended the Electoral Commission for creating a window to enable all the PWDs to get themselves registered for identification and inclusion onto the national voters register as part of broader preparations for the 2026 general elections.
Speaking to Mulengera News, Nakawa Division Deputy Speaker Jalia Nalubwama said that the ongoing mapping and identification of PWDs had enabled them as Nakawa leaders to realize that the number of PWDs is actually much higher than they thought all along. She said that from what she has realized through working with the two PWDs councilors Sarah Nakityo and Mohammed Sekatawa, there is need for EC to enlarge the time for the exercise beyond 13th November when it’s destined to end.
“The way I see, a lot of people risk being left out yet this is a very important exercise which could cause the EC to be accused of disenfranchising some of the PWDs. We as elected leaders urge the Electoral Commission Chairman to act more considerately by extending the deadline to give more days because many of our PWDs are likely to miss out,” explained Nalubwama who also made it clear they are looking forward to the final EC figure for guidance regarding the exact percentage of their electors that comprises of PWDs.
On her part, Councilor Sarah Nakityo who represents all the PWDs on Nakawa Division Council said that mere extension of the deadline won’t deliver the desired outcomes and inclusion of all PWDs. “We have a lot of people who are PWDs in Nakawa and the number can only grow because even those who get crippled as a result of boda or any other form of accidents eventually become part of the PWDs community.”
Councilor Sarah Kityo proposed things which the EC must do in order to make the PWDs to adequately feel the benefits of inclusion. That there is need for the EC to involve stakeholders like the elected leaders within the PWDs structures because “it’s us who know each other.”
In her view, the EC Parish or Ward Supervisors should be encouraged to work with PWDs elected leaders like herself more than with the LC1 and LC2 Chairpersons. “The LC1 or 2 Chairperson is okay because he was elected but he is limited when it comes to knowing the PWDs and where they reside. Its people like myself who would know them better but the Supervisors had initially been instructed to work with LC1s and not us.”
Nakityo says that because they have an interest as they will be seeking reelection in 2026, they have had to invite themselves to participate in the exercise and thanks EC’s Nakawa Division Supervisor (a one Makumbi) for being very receptive to ideas and generally being advised.
“I was appalled at being excluded but I approached Mr. Makumbi who understood and adjusted by asking the EC Ward Supervisors to work with us in the PWDs structures. We are very organised because we have a Committee on each cell or village and Chairpersons for each of the 23 Parishes which make up Nakawa. Each Parish or Ward Chairperson for the PWDs has a Committee of five people he works with and these know where their fellow PWDs are found in the villages below and their involvement has created a lot of momentum for the exercise.”
Sarah Nakityo demanded that in future the EC considers becoming even more inclusive by ringing-fencing some of the positions in favor of PWDs. “They for instance have 23 Parish or Ward Supervisors for Nakawa and yet none of them is a PWD. I’m appealing to the EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama to be more deliberate next time because we have many PWDs who are experienced, capable and well educated. Imagine if just one or two of the 23 Parish or Ward Supervisors had been reserved for the PWDs. We would feel more recognized and included than is currently the case,” concluded Councilor Sarah Kityo. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
