The State Minister for Elderly and Disability, Sulaiman Madada, has advised Ugandans to take advantage of the existing Government development programmes and get out of poverty.

The minister notes that the majority of the poorest people in the country are people with disabilities, widows, and some sections of youth but very few of them are benefiting from the Government’s programmes meant to get them out of poverty.

Madada made the remarks today while launching the Membership Empowerment Project at national level at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

“I thank and commend people who are fundraising for this project. Empowerment is giving people information and knowledge to actively participate meaningfully in socio, economic and political development. Once people are knowledgeable and informed, they are empowered,” the minister observed.

He said there are many policies and laws in Uganda to safeguard and promote the rights of all persons but many people are ignorant about them.

“This project is therefore timely. It will help Government to mobilise people to access and benefit from poverty eradication initiatives and also empower them to demand for their rights,” Madada said. “The constitution guides all development partners including Government to address the needs of people thus when we empower them we are in essence putting them in a position where they can identify and prioritise their needs and lobby the Government and civil society for support in addressing their needs.”