As the count down to 2025 general elections continues, the Association of Persons with Albinism has pleaded with media and other stakeholders to assist the organization in demystifying albinism.
The plea follows overwhelming statistics which indicate that attacks on persons with albinism increase during electoral period with the country registering about 50 attacks on person with albinism during the 2014 elections and over 40 attacks during the 2019 elections.
Expressing his concern, Young Muhamba president of the association has told MIJ Online that between the months of June and July this year, two graves of people with albinism have been vandalized thus raising fears that the same might escalate as the 2025 elections approaches
“We are in a period of political party conventions and as we are talking two graves of persons with albinism have already been vandalized due to myths and beliefs that link success to body parts of persons with albinism. With elections approaching am afraid these attacks might escalate and that’s why we need all the help to get rid of such myths and beliefs.” Muhamba said.
Meanwhile, Joshua Mkwehiwa the Chief disability officer in the ministry of gender has expressed optimism that the newly enacted 2024 Persons with Disability Act will assist in reducing such attacks on persons with disabilities due to punishments that have been set in the said Act.
“The new law has made it easier for persons with disabilities to enjoy their rights by among others simplifying the reporting of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities and also the enforcement of punishments for those found in the wrong of abusing people with disabilities.” Mkwehiwa said.
According to reports, over 170 people with albinism have been attacked since 2014 in the country due to myths and beliefs that their body parts bring success when mixed with other concoctions.