Rwandans with disabilities and other vulnerable groups want a special social category designed for them under Ubudehe, saying they need special attention.

Ubudehe is a government programme in which Rwandans are classified in order to get support from the government and its partners.

A 2019 survey by Transparency International indicates that 38.5 per cent of the respondents voiced concerns over being placed in wrong categories, which excluded them from social benefits they are entitled to.

The groups now said were unfairly categorised because they require special permanent attention.

Currently, the Ubudehe programme has four categories from the poorest members of society to the wealthiest.

This helps the government to align services to citizens. Charles Mazimpaka, father of six with a physical disability and a resident of Tumba in Huye District said people with disabilities are facing difficulties despite being placed Ubudehe categories.

Mr Mazimpaka is physically disabled with one arm but says that in the previous classification, he was put in the third category because he owns one cow at his home.

“I did not go to school or have a chance to learn vocational skills, which means I rely on money from two liters of milk I sell every day.

It is very little to help me cater for school fees and other home basic needs,” said Mr Mazimpaka.

“If the government could consider people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups during the next classification to have their separate category, it would be a good step taken,” he added.

Bob Gakire, director-general of the directorate of territorial administration and good governance at the Ministry of Local Government, told Rwanda Today that during the gathering of citizens' views on Ubudehe categories, many people with disabilities requested that they needed to have a separate category.

“Over 80 per cent of people with disabilities who shared views on Ubudehe, demanded a special category that gives specific attention to vulnerable people like the elderly and the severely disabled whose issues are permanent,” said Mr Gakire.