The Government of Uganda's social protection initiatives have breathed life into the elderly, the elderly and children affairs state minister Dominic Mafwabi, has said.

The state-funded programmes introduced to boost the well-being of older persons include the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) and Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP).  

The two programmes, the minister says, have been instrumental and that they have refreshed the lives of older persons and added them more years to live.

Mafwabi has, therefore, thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the government for the affirmative support to improve the well-being of older persons.  

After the budget reading for the financial year 2023/24, the Government dedicated 10% of the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme money to older persons per parish. PDM is a revolving fund intended to aid older persons in starting up enterprises to fight poverty. The fund is payable after 24 months. 

The state minister for the elderly in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Community Development, Dominic Mafwabi Gidudu (left) chat with the regional representatives in the National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) during the first Annual General Meeting of the NCOP at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu

“There is 10% for older persons under PDM and I encourage each of you elders to go down to your communities and get that fund so that it benefits you,”  Mafwabi told the elderly during the closure of the two-day annual general meeting of the National Council of the Elderly in Kampala on June 21, 2023.

He added that the implementation modalities of these programmes cannot allow a breeding ground for corruption resulting in sound success. 

“Every year, the Government has an assessment and evaluation of programmes and SAGE was voted the best in terms of programmes that are properly managed,” Mafwabi said. 

According to the minister, the President’s support has helped to promote inclusiveness and curb intergenerational discrimination.

“We are creating intergenerational solidarity by working with young people so that they can know we matter to each other,” Mafwabi said. 

Through government policies, older persons have been able to gain recognition and firm footing as a special needs group.

“Initially, we were not recognised even at the village level, but now, we even have representatives in Parliament,” the minister added. 

The minister revealed that Museveni is the only President who has ever considered the older persons and continuously listened to them. 

“We can say that we are being included in almost all government programmes, the older people are happy because the Government thinks about them,” the minister said.