Gender minister says sh810.9b elderly support programme "very successful national initiative"

LIRA - Uganda’s landmark shillings 810 billion elderly support programme has proven transformative on an unprecedented scale, according to gender minister Betty Amongi.

Amongi has hailed the Special Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) initiative as a "very successful national achievement" that has lifted nearly half a million seniors from destitution. 

Speaking during a monitoring visit at Lira City’s Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research Institute on September 11, 2025, where beneficiaries lined up for bi-monthly cash transfers, Amongi said the programme now blankets all 146 districts, directly empowering 495,720 elderly citizens, including 297,432 women (60% of recipients).

"SAGE has evolved from a pilot project into a strong national programme, transforming the lives of nearly half a million older persons across the country," she said, underscoring its role in advancing Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Since its 2010 launch, the initiative has disbursed shillings 810.9 billion to citizens aged 80+, with Amongi emphasising how the funds have revolutionised nutrition, healthcare access, and dignity for Uganda’s most vulnerable elders. In Lango region alone, over 39,000 seniors have received shillings 60.4 billion to date, a success she attributed to local leadership: "This money is not charity, it is a right".

A caretaker leading a beneficiary to receive SAGE money at Ngetta in Lira City on Thursday. (Credit: Patrick Okino)

We are grateful, but we want more

The programme's impact resonated through beneficiaries like Okwir Yuventino of Ongica Ward.

"We thank the Government for this programme. It has improved the livelihoods of many old people and expanded our time to live longer."

However, he said the current shillings 25,000 stipend has limitations, "It is too meagre to cover daily needs. We need higher payments, dedicated medical facilities for age-related illnesses, and health insurance for the elderly."

Yolam Ogwang, another beneficiary, said, "the programme is good, but many people above 80 years are not benefiting. I ask the Government to ensure they are registered and included."

Addressing hurdles

Gilbert Omedi, Lira City’s SAGE focal officer, confirmed steady growth from 874 beneficiaries in 2024 to 944 in 2025.

"We still have eligible elders missing out because caretakers don’t bring them for enrolment, or their birth dates can’t be verified in the digital system."

Amongi acknowledged these challenges while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to sustain and expand SAGE.