At first 65-year-olds and above were receiving the funds monthly but effective July 1 last year, it was raised to 80 years to enable the programme roll out to the rest of the districts in Uganda. Exempted from the age raise was Karamoja region because of the Affirmative Action.
The State minister of Disability and
Elderly Affairs Sarah Kanyike is in Katakwi district of Teso region for consultations over the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment -SAGE proposed age reduction
from 80 years for beneficiaries.
The SAGE scheme under the ministry
of gender, Labour and Social Development is a social welfare programme launched
in the financial year 2011/2012 and piloted in the first 15 districts including
Katakwi, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Kaberamaido, Apac, Kole, Nebbi,
Zombo, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Yumbe and Kayenjojo before it eventually got rolled out to all 146 districts nationwide.
Every month, 25,000 Shillings is given to everyone age 80 years and above, with the aim of benefitting the elderly who lack stable sources of income, family support
structures and live below the poverty line.
At first 65-year-olds and above were receiving the funds monthly but effective July 1 last year, it was raised to 80 years to enable the programme roll out to the rest of the districts in Uganda. Exempted from the age raise was Karamoja region because of the Affirmative Action.
According to the minister
Kanyike, the current cut-off age was raised due to limited budget by the government because it was heavily dependent
on donors when it covered only pilot districts, however the ministry had kept on receiving complaints because a big
population of vulnerable elderly had been left out of SAGE benefits.
“Concerns of a cut-off age of 80
years is a national outcry, but as a government we are coming up with an answer as
soon as possible and that is the reason I am in Katakwi today,” said Kanyike.
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The minister said that Senior Citizen
Grant have without doubt been positively impacted in the lives by the SAGE benefits, which is
evident in areas of access to service like education, health, food and
nutrition.
At national level to date a total
of 304,555 older persons (179,750 females, 124,805 males) are benefitting from
the programme.
In Katakwi district alone, the
programme since implemented in 2011/2012 has benefited a total of 11,471(4,588
males and 6,883 female) older person, with over UGX 23billion used.
Katakwi is one of the districts where poverty levels are high with its elderly population being hit hard, lacking basic
life needs.
Charles Omome, an elder of 60
years in Getom Sub County in Katakwi district says the government should reduce
the cut-of age to at least 55 years to accommodate more older persons.
Omome is accusing government for
being unkind to the aging population.
Roman Ogole
Freelancer