PWD’s Threaten 2026 Election Boycott Unless Their Housing Center Get Renovated in Kabale.

By Honest Kaberuka

KABALE – Residents of the Cultural and Community Development Building in Kikungiri, Southern Division of Kabale Municipality, who are living with disabilities, have taken a resolute stance regarding their participation in the upcoming 2026 general election. Their decision hinges on the government’s commitment to refurbish the aging housing structure they currently inhabit.

The establishment of this center dates back to the tenure of the UPC Government led by Apollo Milton Obote. Initially intended to serve as a resource hub for Ndorwa County, it later evolved into a rehabilitation facility for People with Disabilities (PWDs) and Lepers who had been rescued from Bwama Island on Lake Bunyonyi in 1994.

The PWDs residing at this center engage in crafting and carpentry activities to generate modest income for their sustenance.

Following a recent donation of pigs from Kabale District Woman MP, Honorable Catherine Ndamira Atwakiire, the PWDs expressed their unwavering commitment to inclusive participation in the democratic process. They emphasized that just as they do not discriminate in the act of voting, the government should also refrain from marginalizing them.

Elinathan Kanyaruju, the dedicated councilor representing PWDs on the Kabale Municipality council, alongside Tindibasa Marry, the esteemed chairperson of PWDs at the Cultural and Community Development Building in Kikungiri, have jointly vowed to abstain from partaking in the 2026 general election unless their housing facility undergoes necessary renovations.

Kanyaruju asserted that their pleas for government intervention have fallen on deaf ears. He poignantly remarked, “You cannot expect those dwelling in the wilderness to cast their votes, just as you should not seek their votes without addressing their needs.”

Their concerns extend beyond the impending election. The aging structure, plagued by leaking roofs, poses a looming danger. The residents frequently resort to makeshift solutions, such as tarpaulins, to shield themselves from rain while they sleep within the center. These challenges are exacerbated during inclement weather.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, the PWDs have turned to the media as a platform to amplify their voices and advocate for the much-needed renovation of their residence.

In response, Kabale District Woman MP, Honorable Atwakiire Catherine Ndamira, represented by her Political Assistant, Alex Akampurira, encouraged the PWDs to persevere in their efforts and industriously await additional support from the government. Akampurira’s message highlighted the importance of proactive engagement and collective determination.