Commissioner Paul Mwanja on Thursday launched the Braille and Audio-Visual versions of the Citizen’s Guide to the Budget for the fiscal year 2023/24 at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, (mofpedU).
Mwanja who represented Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ramanthan Ggoobi noted that this fiscal year 2023/24, the priority was to produce the audio-visual version alongside the Braille version to cater to stakeholders with hearing impairment, and those with visual impairment.
He announced that finance ministry, in collaboration with Uganda Debt Network, UNICEF, and Uganda National Association of the Blind, created the first Braille version of the Citizens Guide to the Budget for the fiscal year 2022/23. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap in accessing budget information for the visually impaired.
However, this fiscal year’s version is audio -visual and can benefit more than one group.
“This fiscal year 2023/24, we prioritized producing the audio-visual version alongside the Braille version to cater to stakeholders with hearing impairment, although it can also benefit those with visual impairment,” said Mwanja.
Moses Sichei, the UNICEF Uganda representative, emphasized that the production of the Braille and audio-visual versions is a collaborative effort aimed at fostering inclusivity. He stressed that this initiative is about more than just providing information; it’s about empowering people.
Tumwebaze Patrick, from Uganda Debt Network, reiterated that the Braille version of the Citizens Guide to the budget will make budget information accessible to visually impaired individuals. This will enable them to participate actively in discussions, debates, and advocacy related to budget priorities and allocations.
The launch of these Braille and Audio-Visual versions of the Citizen’s Guide to the Budget for FY 2023/24 is a significant step towards ensuring inclusivity and equal access to essential information for people with visual and hearing impairments.
The development signifies Uganda’s significant progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities.
Invented in 1824 by Frenchman Louis Braille, the Braille system has been essential for blind individuals to read and write. By using raised dots, it enables people with visual impairments to read through touch (using their fingers).
According to recent data from a Rapid Assessments of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey in Uganda, approximately 0.4 per cent of Ugandans (equivalent to 160,000 people) are blind, while seven per cent have moderate to severe visual impairment, totaling around 2.8 million people.
The Citizen’s Guide to the Budget serves as a simplified document designed to help the public understand the government’s budget. It provides a summary of the National Budget priorities for a given year, outlining how the government plans to raise revenue and allocate funds to various programs and priorities.
Civil participation in the budget process is crucial as it promotes government accountability and transparency in budget formulation, fund allocation, distribution, and effective management. It allows citizens to have a say in how public funds are used, ensuring that resources are allocated in a fair and equitable manner to address the needs of all members of society.
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