MINISTRY OF GENDER IN A DRIVE TO ASSIST THE BLIND 

MINISTRY OF GENDER IN A DRIVE TO ASSIST THE BLIND 
Hon. Allen Asama
The Minister Of State in Charge for disabilities in the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Devellopment Hon. Allen Asama has revealed during a press briefing at Uganda media center that her ministry together with the National association of the blind (UNAB) will conduct a run for the blind in marathon on the 17th of November2024 where the speaker of parliament anet Anita among is expected to be the chief runner and the Rt. Honorable prime minister to preside over the closure of the event . 
The event will take place at the Katikati playground in lugogo. The day is to commemorate the day of the white cane that is usually celebrated towards the end of the Year. The day will run  with the  theme "run for the blind" with the proceeds going towards buying white canes for the.  blind. The white cane is used by people with visual impairment to point towards where they are going during their day to day life. The blind use the white cane to navigate around. 
The kit for the day is for sale at Katikati playground and only costs 20000 uganda shillings. Around 10000 white canes are to be bought from the proceeds of the event. "The blind population in Uganda is about 2.5milion people and the purchase of the 10000 white canes will be a step in the right direction" the Minister added. 
The cost of a white cane is currently approximately 80000 shillings and above
The Uganda National association of the blind is an association that brings together all the blind related activities and advocates with the vision of having a self - sustaining Association of empowered persons with visual impairment, enjoying equal opportunities in society. The organization further strives to better the quality of life of the blind persons in uganda regardless of their sex or age through advocacy, networking and capacity building.