People with visual impairments have appealed to banks to take measures to transcribe their documents, ensuring the protection of their privacy. This plea was one of the key points made by visually impaired individuals during a brief event to present seed capital to PWDs Tuesday at the Standard Chartered Bank Headquarters in Kampala.
Speaking at the event, Hamis Tenywa from the Uganda National Association of the Blind-UNAB highlighted the challenges faced by visually impaired people when opening bank accounts or making cash withdrawals, often requiring assistance from others.
Tenywa suggested that banks should consider introducing Braille as an alternative writing system to enable them to transact easily. This innovation, he believes, would empower blind and partially sighted individuals to access banking services independently.
At the event, one hundred Persons with Disabilities were granted funds as start-up capital or to boost their existing businesses under the Future Makers program initiated by Standard Chartered Bank, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities. Many of the recipients are engaged in various enterprises such as poultry farming, animal husbandry, and agriculture.
John Baptist Mwesigye, the Chief Technology and Operations officer at Standard Chartered Bank, mentioned that they collaborated with Cordaid Uganda to identify deserving entrepreneurs and ensure a thorough assessment process was followed to allocate grants to the intended recipients.
Mwesigye also stated that the bank provided training to equip the beneficiaries with the necessary skills to maximize the potential of the grants.
Moses Ayoli, one of the beneficiaries who received One million eight hundred fifty-four thousand, one hundred and fifty shillings, explained that he has been raising goats and expects his herd to grow from 25 to his target of 100 goats, thanks to the empowerment he received.
Jeremy Rwothomio, another beneficiary who received 1.4 million Shillings, plans to use the funds to boost his farm where he cultivates okra, tomatoes, and eggplant. Hellen Grace Asamo, the State Minister for Disability Affairs, urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the grants and cautioned against engaging in unproductive ventures.
She also encouraged them to work in groups and pool their resources rather than working alone, which might have a more positive impact on their long-term development.”
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