Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Hoima want parliament to pass a civil construction law that will enable them easily access different buildings and use roads without any hindrances in their daily movements anywhere.
Ms Rehema Bategeka, the Hoima City Councillor for PWDs says persons with different body disabilities face numerous challenges on roads and accessing public buildings and private houses for a number of services.
She suggests that having a ‘Building Control Act’ would be an answer to the problem.
Constructing wider doorways, better flooring, larger driveways and access ramps are some of the features still lacking to favour PWDs yet the universal architectural design involving all those components can be used by persons without disability and those with disability.
The politician also says having assistive devices like crutches, walking sticks, glasses and wheel chairs is still a menace to many PWDs yet they are important to their daily life.
Mr Hassan Kaija, the West Division Councillor in Hoima city says street vendors who sell their items displayed on walkways, unidentified zebra crossings and potholes in city roads affect the movement of PWDs since they cannot move in places full of traffic and human congestion.
He wants the city authorities and traffic police to force and stop vendors from selling and displaying their merchandise on walkways, clearly mark zebra crossings and sensitise motorists about valuing visually impaired persons walking on roads identified by their walking sticks so they are not knocked by reckless drivers.
The councillor also wants compulsory construction of access ramps to any building whether public or private and toilets designed for PWDs for easy access.
The Deputy Mayor Hoima City, Ms Sylvia Balyesiima Nalumaga, encourages youth with disabilities to join vocational institutions so they can be equipped with life skills that will enable them lead an especially independent financial life.
This at the celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons.
