Former Kasambya MP Mulindwa Patrick Returns to Parliament Race with Bold Plan to Empower Persons with Disabilities
Former Kasambya County Member of Parliament, Mulindwa Patrick, has officially been nominated to contest for the position of National Member of Parliament representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), with a renewed call to end poverty, mismanagement, and dependency within the disability community.
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Wednesday in Kampala, Mulindwa decried the growing poverty among persons with disabilities, blaming it on leaders who rely heavily on donations and handouts instead of championing sustainable economic empowerment.
He said such dependency has not only weakened the PWD voice but also fueled voter bribery and political manipulation.
“Our people have been conditioned to depend on handouts, and that’s why poverty remains high. I want to change that narrative persons with disabilities must become economically independent,” Mulindwa said.
Drawing from his parliamentary experience, the former Kasambya MP pledged to improve accountability in the management of government funds meant for PWDs.
He cited cases where funds under Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM) were misused or channeled into non-productive projects.
“Money is released for disability projects, but it never reaches the intended beneficiaries. As someone who understands how Parliament works, I will ensure strong oversight so that every coin benefits our people,” he promised.
Mulindwa proposed practical income-generating ventures that can uplift PWDs, particularly in rural areas, such as beekeeping.
“One beehive can produce about 15 litres of honey every six months. At 20,000 shillings per litre, that’s good money and the hive remains the owner’s asset,” he explained.
For urban-based PWDs, he plans to champion digital empowerment through establishing Wi-Fi hotspots and online shopping platforms to help people with disabilities participate in e-commerce.
He further pledged to provide tablets to PWDs across districts, revealing that a survey showed only 230 out of 750 voters in the PWD Electoral College currently own smartphones.
Mulindwa also called for reforms in laws and systems affecting PWDs, condemning what he described as “unfair representation,” where individuals without disabilities sometimes appoint PWD leaders or influence their elections, often conducted under irregular conditions.
He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Parliament’s four main functions legislation, budget approval, oversight, and advocacy noting that many current MPs have underperformed, especially in monitoring funds meant for vulnerable groups.
The seasoned legislator also called upon government ministries and departments to implement the constitutional requirement that reserves 10 percent of civil service jobs for persons with disabilities a policy he said remains largely unfulfilled.
Mulindwa’s campaign is anchored on economic empowerment, accountability, and inclusion, with a clear message, to transform persons with disabilities from recipients of aid into active, self-reliant citizens driving their own development.
“I have been in Parliament before; I know what works and what must change. This time, I’m coming to ensure that disability inclusion is not just talked about it’s implemented,” he said firmly.
Tags: Mulindwa Patrick, Kasambya Constituency, Persons with Disabilities, Uganda Parliament, Economic Empowerment, Digital Inclusion, Beekeeping, Accountability, Disability Rights, Poverty Eradication
