Modesta Tezikyabbiri, a person with Disability and member of the Network for Disabled Women has been elected Speaker, Entebbe Municipal Council, Uganda.
Prior to her election, she has served as Deputy Speaker of the council for three straight terms.
Modesta’s quest for the position of speaker met with stiff opposition as many held negative, stereotypic views of her capabilities. Some who didn’t know her wondered how she was going to lead her people given her wheelchair status.
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Tezikyabbiri however turned deaf ears to such negativism with a firm focus on her goal. She eventually defeated her opponent in the council election by 14 votes to 10.
Modesta, who is confined to the wheelchair as a result of paralysis in both legs braced all odds to join politics in 2002 as she wanted to be a voice for Women and Women living with Disabilities in Uganda.
She advises young women especially those with disabilities and who intend to go into politics to develop tough skin to negative comments of detractors. She said: “People will always talk and try to look down on you. Stay focused, and be determined. This will make you successful.”
2 comments
Disability is not inability,we srr all equal wheel chair can not hold someone from performing it only helps to achieve a goal just like those that use glasses to read like most people.Go go Madam Modesta you can do it Well done.
Disability is not inability,we are all equal wheel chair can not hold someone from performing it only helps to achieve a goal just like those that use glasses to read like most people. Go go Madam Modesta you can do it Well done.