The State Minister for Elderly Affairs, Dominic Mafwabi, has said land disputes in the country are fuelling the abuse of older persons.  

This, he said, emanates from the growing desire for land, something he said causes conflicts between the attackers and the victims. 

“The most common forms of abuse of older persons are related to land conflicts, sexual and gender-based violence, and neglect. The older persons are weaker and therefore, the perpetrators want to use their status to their own advantage,” Mafwabi said. 

The minister was addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, June 14, in Kampala, ahead of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is observed on June 15, but for the case of Uganda, the minister said the day will be celebrated on June 16 at Imperial Royale Hotel. 

The function shall run under the theme Seniors Deserve our Respect and Attention. 

Additionally, the minister pointed out that another common contributor to elder abuse is an intergenerational disconnect. This, he said, is due to limited coping mechanisms with the modernisation by a few youths, as a result of eroded cultural norms and values of respect for the elders. 

“There is age-related discrimination and this is also one of the most frequent challenges faced by older persons in the exercise of their human rights. We must create awareness so as to end the vice,” Mafwabi said. 

According to information from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), by 2021, the total number of older persons aged 60 and above, was four million out of the total population estimated at 46 million Ugandans. 

“Enhancement of social inclusion and participation boost their esteem. We know older persons usually suffer from the effects of isolation. So, working in groups will enable them to interact more and as they grow and work together,” Mafwabi said.