By Sabir Musa

Arua City

With support from Dar-Al-Ber Society from United Arab Emirates through government of Uganda, more than 50 system devices were given to persons living with visual and hearing impairment in Arua City. These include eye glasses, white canes and hearing devices.

Chairperson for Persons with Disability in Arua City, Swale Musema notes that, high cost of the devises limits access for many people despite being important mobility devices. “Some people have been using ordinary walking sticks which is not good. So these will help them to do their daily routine especially on road because other road users will identify easily when you have a white cane and will be able to respect” Swale commends. Prices of white cane in normal market ranges from 50 thousand shillings and above.

One of the beneficiaries and an activist, Mercy Monica Ocotoko appreciates roles played by the mobility devices like white cane. “We get more independent and feel confident when using white cane because it good for publicity and visibility for people who may not know” she says.
Arua District Community Development Officer Incharge of Disability and Elderly, Ayikoru Jean Longo advice white cane users to keep the device clean and respect it while using. She explains that, “it is a sign of peace and independence therefore should be used peacefully, not to beat people”.

Meanwhile, the organization’s regional Coordinator, Osman Draga explains that, the donation is part of Corporate Social Responsibility that will runs across the region. Among the beneficiaries in Arua are students with visual impairment from Arua Demonstration School, Ediofe Girls Primary School and Mvara Secondary School. Other equipment donated include stretchers to Oli Health Centre 4, Wandi Health and Adumi Health Centres III.

COVER PHOTO: The descripton of project to donate mobility devices placed at Oli Health Centre 4 in Arua City during handover By Sabir Musa