Hon Acan Joyce Okeny

Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Dev't in charge of Disability Affairs & Member of Parliament Representing Persons with Disabilities (Female)

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Today I concluded my nationwide assessment tour of rehabilitation centres across the country with my final stop at Ruti Rehabilitation Centre in Mbarara City, in the company of Ms. Agnes Nampeera, our Principal Rehabilitation Officer. I must say Ruti is fairly better compared to the other centres I visited, but it still faces serious challenges including funding gaps, staffing shortages, no beds for learners and poor staff housing. The centre also raised an urgent concern about their water reservoir whose inner metal lining is peeling off, posing a health risk to our children. I have directed that this be handled with the emergency it deserves.

During our engagement, Mbarara City Councillor for Female Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Ms. Eunice Asiimwe admitted that the City Council has not been supporting the centre because it enrolls learners from across the region. I told them this is dangerous thinking and deliberation from leaders. Disability knows no district boundary, Ruti is a national facility serving all Ugandans.

I have tasked the Mbarara City Council to rethink this decision, move a motion acknowledging Ruti Rehabilitation Centre and include it in their budget to support these vulnerable learners in any way possible. As a Ministry we are sometimes overwhelmed, and these young people need to be cared for by all of us.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

SPECIAL GRANT IS CHANGING LIVES: VURRA COUNTY SUCCESS STORIES GIVE US HOPE

I am impressed.

During my nationwide assessment tour, I have been visiting beneficiaries of the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, and today in Vurra County, Arua District, I have seen real impact.

As you can see in the picture, beneficiaries here have invested the grant in goat rearing. They testified to me how this enterprise has changed their lives from dependency to self-reliance, from begging to earning, from isolation to dignity.

This is exactly what this fund is meant to achieve.

When we give a Person with Disability capital, we are not giving handout, we are giving a tool to transform their household. The testimonies from Vurra County have deeply encouraged me.

Such success stories give us as Ministry the energy to go and lobby for more funds in Cabinet and Parliament, so that more PWDs can be reached.

I thank the Arua District Local Government and the Community Development Officers for proper guidance to the beneficiaries. I urge all other beneficiaries across the country to emulate Vurra (Arua District)

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

I am happy to have shared this moment of joy with PWD students and instructors at Ocoko Rehabilitation Centre in Arua District during my nationwide assessment tour.

I am on the ground to assess the performance of our rehabilitation centres and the PWDs Special Grant. At Ocoko, I had a group photo and candid interaction with trainees who showcased their incredible skills, but also shared their painful challenges understaffing, low funding, and lack of training materials.

I have heard you. Your dedication despite earning only UGX 100,000 is true patriotism.

I want to assure you that I will table your plight before Cabinet and Parliament. We must ensure that instructors in rehabilitation centres are put on the government payroll, that funding is increased, and that centre land is protected from encroachers.

Government cannot talk about leaving no one behind when centres meant to rehabilitate Persons with Disabilities are collapsing. I will fight for you.

[Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development @Mglsd_UG]

Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hon. @acanjoyceokeny, has commended Persons with Disabilities in West Nile for effectively utilizing the PDM and Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities to improve livelihoods.

During her assessment tour, she visited groups engaged in tailoring, crafts, welding and goat farming, and urged PWDs to embrace government programmes, fight poverty and build self-reliance.
#DisabilityInclusion
@PBYONANEBYE @AggreyKibenge

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

The State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Disability Affairs, Hon. Acan Joyce Okeny, is currently traversing the dusty terrain of West Nile as part of her continued nationwide tour.

The tour, which started last week and is expected to conclude later this week, is aimed at assessing the performance and impact of the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities and other government programs including the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Despite the long distances and difficult murram roads, Hon. Acan has been moving from district to district meeting PWD groups, visiting rehabilitation centres and schools with learners with special needs, to get first-hand information on how government funds are being utilized.

Her tour has so far highlighted both success stories of PWDs transforming their lives through the grant, and critical gaps in rehabilitation centres like Ocoko in Arua District that require urgent intervention.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

MINISTER ACAN JOYCE RALLIES PWDs TO EMBRACE PDM AND SPECIAL GRANT WARNS CORRUPT OFFICERS DECRIES LACK OF RAMPS AT JINJA CITY HALL - Kampala Media TV https://t.co/TNsYJhmmsw

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Minister Acan Joyce (PWDs) Urges Disability Stakeholders to Stop Working in Isolation.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Today I chaired my first Disability Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting at @Mglsd_UG Headquarters.

I thanked all members from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), Development Partners and MDAs for their commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

We agreed on a key issue: The challenge is not lack of programmes, but lack of coordination. Many actors are doing good work, but we are working in parallel.

I have therefore tasked the Committee to strengthen information sharing and maintain a clear map of who is doing what, where, who is being reached, and what resources are available.

I want the DCC to be a working platform - to coordinate programmes, mobilise resources, address bottlenecks and promote innovation.

What we need now is stronger coordination, greater accountability and better use of resources to improve service delivery, dignity and wellbeing for PWDs.

Effective coordination requires reliable information. We must harmonise our interventions, mobilise resources together, and hold ourselves accountable for results.

Above all, OPDs must be meaningful participants in this process, not just beneficiaries. Their lived experience must inform our priorities.

Together, we have one responsibility: to ensure no one is left behind.

#DisabilityInclusion
#LeaveNoOneBehind

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

@KilamaSadick1 Thank you 🙏,together we shall achieve something, let's join hands and work as a team.

PWDs deserve a special recognition if they must achieve something socially and economically.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

MINISTER ACAN WELCOMES FY 2027/28 BUDGET, SAYS IT WILL BOOST JOBS AND INCOMES FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS

The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Disability Affairs), Hon. Acan Joyce Okeny, has welcomed Government’s Budget Strategy for FY 2027/28, saying it is designed to put money in people’s pockets.

Hon. Acan said the budget theme *"Full Monetization of Uganda’s Economy"* focuses on jobs, exports and household incomes.

She noted that key programmes like PDM, Emyooga and Skilling Hubs will continue, with more support for Persons with Disabilities, women and youth to access funding and training.

The Minister also applauded Government’s plan to invest more in health, education, water and social protection, and to stop wastage through stricter budget discipline.

"As Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, we shall ensure that no one is left behind. Whether you are a PWD, woman, youth or elderly, this budget is for you," Hon. Acan said.

#UgBudget27 #FullMonetization #MGLSD #LeaveNoOneBehind

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF HIS MAJESTY OYO NYIMBA KABAMBA IGURU RUKIDI IV

On behalf of all Persons with Disabilities in Uganda, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the entire Tooro Kingdom upon the passing of His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

His Majesty was a symbol of unity, peace and cultural pride, and he will be remembered for being at the forefront of championing inclusion and support for Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable communities.

As the disability fraternity, we have lost a true friend, father and an advocate. His inclusive spirit and legacy will live on forever.

May the Almighty God comfort the people of Tooro in this difficult time and grant His Majesty eternal rest.

Hon. Acan Joyce Okeny
Minister of State for Disability Affairs.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Yesterday, I held a high-level meeting with Mr. Edison Ngirabakunzi, Country Director of the Norwegian Association of Disabled Persons (NAD).

Mr. Ngirabakunzi briefed me on the impactful work NAD is doing across several districts, empowering Persons with Disabilities through livelihoods, advocacy, and inclusive community programs.

He appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to continue supporting this partnership and to expand its scope of coverage to reach more hard-to-reach districts where PWDs are still struggling to access services.

On my part, I reaffirmed Government's commitment to disability inclusion as a core pillar of our development agenda. I assured him that the Ministry will continue working closely with NAD and other partners to ensure that no one is left behind.

I commend NAD for their unwavering support to Uganda's disability movement over the years.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Yesterday, I was deeply honored to receive a delegation of PWD leaders from Gomba and Butambala districts, together with my supporters, who paid a courtesy visit to my office.

They came to congratulate me upon my recent appointment as Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Disability Affairs.

In a true gesture of love, unity and friendship, they presented me with various gifts.

On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of you for your thoughtfulness, prayers and unwavering support. Your love encourages me to serve even harder for all Persons with Disabilities across Uganda.

May God bless you abundantly.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

@sssemanda @Mglsd_UG @NUDIPU @PBYONANEBYE Amen 🙏🙏 God can never let his own down, he will lead us through.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

I was humbled to receive PWDs leaders from Gomba and Butambala Districts today.

We held a fruitful engagement on issues affecting persons with disabilities, ranging from Government projects and programs to grants for PWDs.

Our discussion focused on how best our people can access and utilize these opportunities to improve their livelihoods and achieve self-reliance.

I reiterated Government's commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind, and encouraged the leaders to continue mobilizing our people at the grassroots to actively participate in these programs.

I thank the leaders from Gomba and Butambala for their visit and for the great work, your gifts and for the great work you continue to do in your districts.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

@KilamaSadick1 Thank you Mr Sadick 🙏

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

@DenisImuko @Mglsd_UG @NUDIPU @PBYONANEBYE Thank you Denis 🙏

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

@sssemanda @Mglsd_UG @NUDIPU @PBYONANEBYE Much humbled Mr Ssemanda Abdul, we shall try until our people are well catered for.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Today in my office, I had an inspiring engagement with the leadership of UNAB - Uganda National Association of the Blind.

We had a very insightful and meaningful discussion on the real challenges our brothers and sisters with visual impairment face in accessing Government programs and special grants for PWDs.

We agreed on the need for more deliberate and accessible mobilization to ensure that information and opportunities reach every blind person at the grassroots.

We also discussed early preparations for the upcoming White Cane Day celebrations this October in Koboko District, which will be a powerful platform to celebrate their abilities and resilience.

I sincerely thank the UNAB leadership for their strong advocacy and commitment.

[Hon Acan Joyce Okeny @acanjoyceokeny]

Today in Parliament, we received the Statement on establishment of Busoga University as a Public University per the 2018 Presidential Directive.

As a Minister in charge of Disability Affairs, I will move Government to ensure disability inclusion is mainstreamed in its design & operationalization - accessible infrastructure, learning materials, in braille and sign language, and assistive devices from the beginning & opportunities for learners & staff with disabilities.
@MercyLakiskis @Tumukunde_
@simonmulongo @Mglsd_UG @Educ_SportsUg