Older persons call for increased government support

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Older persons in Uganda have called for increased government funding to improve their welfare.

The appeal was made during the national commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), held at City Hall Gardens in Kampala on June 20, 2025.

"This day is very important for us because we have faced all kinds of abuse. I send my sympathies to those who are victims of violence and abuse of any form, especially emotional and psychological abuses," said Francis Lubowa, leader of older persons in Kampala.

He encouraged victims of abuse not to suffer in silence: "I want to let those older persons facing any form of abuse know that they are not alone in the fight against violence and abuse. We are committed to reducing those abuses and ensuring older persons enjoy their rights."

Lubowa revealed that the elderly council in Kampala has never received any financial support, calling this a form of abuse in itself, given the contribution of older persons to national development.

State minister for elderly affairs, Dominic Mafabi Gidudu inspecting stalls of older persons during World Awareness Day Against Elder Abuse national commemorations at KCCA grounds in Kampala on Friday. (Photo by Nelson Kiva)

"I think it is abusing us, too, because we were elected to lead people. We need to be facilitated to execute our obligations to serve the older persons," he added.

WEAAD is commemorated annually on 15 June to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults. Uganda marked the day five days later to allow older persons to participate in the special interest groups (SIGs) elections at the village level, organised by the Electoral Commission.

The 2025 global theme was: “Addressing Abuse of Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities: Through Data and Action.”

Ugandan age care organisations issued a joint statement condemning all forms of elder abuse—physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and neglect—as unacceptable.

"These abuses are a grave violation of human rights. It undermines the very fabric of our communities and threatens the values of respect and care that we hold so dear to ourselves,” said Arthur Namara Araali, chairperson of Age Care Organisations in Uganda.

Namara stressed the importance of collaboration: "As age care organisations, we emphasise that coordination is our greatest asset in building a society where older persons are protected and empowered."

He noted that elder abuse often stems from poverty and dependency issues that can be tackled through budgeted interventions promoting economic independence and social inclusion.

Findings from the 2024 Uganda Housing and Population Census painted a grim picture of abuse against the elderly. Uganda is home to approximately 2.3 million older persons, representing about 5% of the population. Of these, 86% reportedly face neglect and isolation by caregivers. Some 44.7% have experienced domestic violence—often at the hands of intimate partners or family members—while 49% endure psychological abuse, including threats, humiliation and mistreatment.

Charles Isabirye, chairperson of the National Council for Older Persons (NCOP), said the government had not neglected the elderly, pointing out that 5% of local government budgets are allocated quarterly to support activities for the council of older persons, in addition to affirmative action programmes such as the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE).

He welcomed the restoration of sh21 billion to the SAGE budget by the Ministry of Finance, after it had earlier been cut from sh121 billion.

However, Isabirye expressed concern over cases of misconduct by some elderly individuals.

"We are also abusing ourselves as older persons. Because if you are an older person and you go to bars with young girls fit to be our grandchildren, you are also abusers," he said.

Prosper Muhumuza, who represented the permanent secretary of the gender ministry, Aggrey David Kibenge, revealed that some forms of elder abuse are self-inflicted.

"Studies are showing that parenting is a challenge, and it's both a cause and an effect of elder abuse.

"A young girl, a young boy of 17 years or 18 years today, who is idle, who is staying the whole day gambling, who is staying the whole day abusing drugs, there are 90% chances that this young boy and girl is either abusing the parents or is about to start abusing the parents," Muhumuza said.

He also pointed to Uganda’s land inheritance system as a source of intergenerational conflict between the young and the old.

Muhumuza noted that the government will soon launch a toll-free line for the public to report cases of abuse against older persons. He also urged the judiciary to prioritise cases involving the elderly.

"Even courts should handle cases involving older persons expeditiously, not to deny them justice," he said.

Regarding SAGE, he revealed plans to move payment points to health centres to enable older persons to access health services on payment days. He also called for the introduction of an "Elders’ Health Day" during which health facilities offer free services to older persons.

The state minister for elderly affairs, Dominic Mafabi Gidudu, advised older persons to live balanced lifestyles.

"When you eat, don't overeat. Each day, you must work. If you don't work, nobody will work for you. So, you must have a balanced life as you exist," he said.

He added: "There are people who have lived to over 80, over 90 years. It's not by accident. If you trace them, there are guidelines."

"So, we must inculcate into our people that whatever starts must end. If you start working, you will end. So, we must prepare ourselves, and there are organisations that are doing this so that you will lead a dignified life and die a dignified person," he said.

Gidudu noted that substantial progress had been made over the last five years.

"Since we got the five parliamentary seats, we have achieved substantial things. First of all, SAGE—we have gotten sh121b per year. Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons was given sh10b."

Jane Nakanwagi, publicity secretary for the Mutungo Older Persons’ Council, aged 70, welcomed the day as a vital platform for both advocacy and networking.

“Even we who do something use it to show our items where we get money to look after our grandchildren,” she said as she showed the minister and other guests around her craft shop.