The government has directed local government authorities, public institutions and disability stakeholders to fully implement the National Action Plan on the Rights and Welfare of Persons with Albinism and the National Assistive Technology Strategy (2024–2027), in a renewed drive to strengthen inclusion, protect rights and improve access to essential services for persons with disabilities.
The directive was issued on Friday in Mwanza during the opening of a training programme on the dissemination of the two national frameworks, which brought together officials and stakeholders from Mwanza, Mara and Geita regions.
Speaking on behalf of Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary Balandya Elikana, the region’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kheri Kagya, said effective implementation of the plans would be key to eliminating discrimination, violence and stigma, particularly against persons with albinism, while improving service delivery for all persons with disabilities.
Dr Kagya commended the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities for its continued leadership in coordinating national policies and programmes aimed at advancing disability inclusion.
He said the dissemination of the frameworks was critical in equipping government officials and leaders with practical knowledge to strengthen implementation and ensure protection of rights at all levels of service delivery.
“The goal is to ensure that every official understands their role in promoting inclusion, protecting rights and delivering services without discrimination,” he said.
He noted that the Sixth Phase Government has continued to implement wide-ranging interventions to improve the welfare of persons with disabilities, including expanded access to healthcare, inclusive education, and economic empowerment initiatives.
He further highlighted government efforts to promote economic participation through the allocation of 10 per cent of local government funds to special groups, as well as reserving 30 per cent of public procurement opportunities for targeted groups, including persons with disabilities.
Despite these efforts, Dr Kagya observed that access to assistive technology remains limited, calling it a major barrier to full participation in social and economic life.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the National Assistive Technology Strategy (2024–2027), which seeks to expand access to essential assistive devices for persons with disabilities and older persons.
Dr Kagya also directed regional and council authorities to allocate dedicated budgets for the procurement of sunscreen lotions for persons with albinism and assistive devices for persons with disabilities, noting that such interventions are critical for health protection and independence.
He further urged officials who attended the training to cascade the knowledge to other staff within their institutions to ensure wider understanding and consistent implementation of inclusive policies.
Earlier, speaking on behalf of the Acting Director of the Disability Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office, Legal Officer Jacob Mwinula said awareness and dissemination programmes on the two frameworks had already been conducted in Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Manyara and Kilimanjaro regions.
He called on regional administrations, local government authorities, sector institutions and disability organisations to integrate the implementation of the action plan and assistive technology strategy into their plans and budgets.
Mr Mwinula also underscored the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the initiatives translate into measurable improvements in the social, political and economic wellbeing of persons with disabilities across the country.
