People with disabilities assured of protection of their rights

MWANZA Regional Commissioner Mr Amos Makalla said the government will ensure that rights of people with disabilities in the region are protected like other people in the community.

The regional boss made the order here in the city recently when he was speaking with Member of Parliament (Special Seat) Khadija Shaaban who represents people with disabilities in the National

The MP was in Mwanza Region for a one-day official visit where she met with the people with disabilities for exchanging ideas as part of getting to know their challenges and forward them to the Parliament in seeking solution.

Mr Makalla warned that people who will be found intimidating or harassing people with disabilities in his region will face legal measures.

“I have listened to the challenges you are going through. I will find solutions for them except those concerning policy and legal issues”, he explained.

He said when he was serving as the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner; he had set aside a special space for people with disabilities to conduct their businesses within the Machinga complex.

He urged Mwanza regional authorities to emulate that example in Dar es Salaam so as to improve working environment and accessibility to people with disabilities.

He warned all those who utter abusive language to people with disabilities to stop such kind of practices.

He further ordered the Land and Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) and Mwanza Regional Police Commander to take stern measures against operators who harass people with disabilities.

For her part, the Member of Parliament Ms Shaaban said the purpose of her visit was to meet with leaders of associations for people with disabilities at district level and to talk to them about various challenges they are facing and way forward.

The Nyamagana MP Mr Stanslaus Mabula said as representatives of the people, they have a responsibility to fight for equality for all citizens to ensure all groups in the community have equal rights.