CHRISTMAS | ELDERLY | GEN. KATUMBA

MUKONO - The Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has decided that he will not only spend Christmas with his beloved family but with the aged people of Mukono district.

Katumba gathered the notable elderly of Mukono and distributed a range of food items in addition to cutting a cake that added a Christmas smile to a section of the population that is often forgotten.

Katumba revealed he has been donating to the elderly for 11 years. (All Photos by Henry Nsubuga)

On his twitter handle, Katumba revealed how he has been doing this for 11 years, “for now 11 years, on every 23rd of December, I host the elderly in Mukono. Yesterday, I hosted for this year and shared with my people something small for Christmas. 2022 has been a year of mixed feelings, but we are grateful to God for how far we have come. Happy holidays.” he said.

Uganda’s Parliament has Members of Parliament representing the elderly who are expected to speak and voice on behalf of the elderly community.

Gen Katumba also gave the elderly Christmas hampers to enjoy the festive.

During a sensitization meeting in March this year, 2022, Members of Parliament expressed dismay with the government for delaying paying older persons since mid-2021.

During the meeting, Stephen Kasaija, the gender ministry official revealed how he has unpaid arrears for the 4th Quarter FY 2020/2021 amounting to Ugx36bn for over 270,000 beneficiaries.

The elderly also had breakfast with the General.

Though sh120b was allocated for FY2022/2023, Kasaija revealed how the Ministry of Finance had not indicated a commitment to pay off the arrears.

The forum also advocated for the eligibility age of the funds by the elderly to be reduced from 80years old to 70 years old to allow in more beneficiaries and for the money being distributed monthly to be raised from Ugshs25,000 to Ugshs35,000 to level up to the high cost of living.

The elderly have fun with the Gen. Katumba.

A Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development 2020 report titled, “State for older persons in Uganda,” predicts that by 2050 or for the next 30 years, the number of elderly Ugandans, 60 and above is predicted to cross 6 million.

Currently, Uganda’s ageing statistic is at 4.3 percent of Uganda’s population and the majority are largely illiterate, in addition to the limitations they face economically.

Katumba revealed he has been donating to the elderly for 11 years now.

Sickness and disability are also inevitable among the aged in Uganda. A 2016 Uganda demographic and health survey indicates that one out of five older persons in Uganda has a severe disability.

The report also urges the elderly to age with dignity and care.