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Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda has called on Social Welfare Officers and stakeholders working with persons with disabilities to support government efforts to identify, protect, and advocate for individuals with disabilities who are hidden or isolated in their homes.
Mtanda made the call on February 6, 2026, during the launch of the Regional Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing that the government has a duty to ensure equal rights and full social participation for all people with disabilities.
He said persons with disabilities represent a significant segment of society with an important role in community development, and that structured platforms are necessary to ensure their concerns reach government authorities.
“Persons with disabilities are a large group with a vital contribution to social development. Without a common platform to discuss their challenges and plan interventions, their voices cannot effectively reach the government. That is why we have formed this committee to serve as a bridge of communication,” Mtanda said.
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He directed Social Welfare Officers to ensure similar committees and forums are established and operational from district to ward, village, and street levels so that disability-related issues are properly presented and addressed.
The committee’s chairperson, Sebastian Meghjee, said its primary mission is to advise the government and private institutions, including submitting policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the rights and capacity of persons with disabilities and increasing their participation in national development.
Earlier, Mwanza Regional Social Welfare Officer Baraka Makona said the Persons with Disabilities Act, Chapter 9 of 2010, requires the establishment of advisory committees from regional and council levels down to villages and streets to ensure persons with disabilities are fully included in development planning and decision-making.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Mwanza Region has 332,682 persons with disabilities, equivalent to 11.8 percent of the region’s total population, highlighting the scale and importance of effective representation and support.
