Albinos decry social discrimination; want taxes on skin oil waived
The executive director for Uganda Albinism Umbrella Olive Namutebi on Monday said Albinos in Uganda still face social discrimination from their parents and society.
Namutebi echoed the Albino concerns during a press conference at the Uganda media centre to give updates on the forthcoming International Albinism Awareness Day, slated to take place in Mbale on 13th June 2018.
“Albinism is a genetically motivated occurrence in human beings and other animals and has nothing to do with traditional believes such as; witchcraft, abominations or curse”, she said.
She called upon government to waive taxes levied on Albino skin oil cream, which she said helps to prevent them from external effects; such as the strong sun’s heat which often makes their skin to develop cracks or rashes.
“The Albino Skin oil cream is currently being sold at exorbitant prices, where majority Albinos can’t afford because they live in abject poverty”, she added.
On her part, the chairperson for Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi called on parents and other stakeholders to accord Albinos equal opportunities, in regard to education and social protection.
She called for increased awareness campaigns to ensure Albinos are not kidnapped and sacrificed by criminal elements for witchcraft purposes.
“The Equal Opportunities Commission denounces all forms of discrimination against Albinos and has come up with measures to protect them”, she said, adding that EOC is committed to ensure Government does not tax the Albino skin oil cream.
The Albino Umbrella Legal Officer Hussein Kato Muyinda told journalists that they have reported those who violate Albino rights to EOC and will soon be arraigned before courts of Law, for prosecution.
“Some people have impregnated Albinos and refused to marry them due to the negative traditional believes. The Albino Umbrella shall soon bring these people to face the law, as we are working closely with the police and EOC”, he said.
