Older persons should benefit from all govt wealth creation funds — Museveni

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JINJA - As Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day for Older Persons, President Yoweri Museveni has stressed that older persons should not be excluded from the central government’s wealth creation funds like Emyooga and Parish Development Model (PDM), among others, on account of their age. 

He said the older persons can be helped by their more energetic children and grandchildren to create wealth and jobs in the four sectors of commercial agriculture, industries, services and ICT.

He emphasised the critical role of Uganda’s elderly in national development and the need for their inclusion in wealth-creation initiatives.

Museveni's instructions are contained in his speech read by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo at the National celebrations to mark the International Day of Older Persons.

Under the theme "Enhanced Household Incomes: A Key to Dignity and Respect for Older Persons", the national events were held on October 1, 2025, at St John Wakitaka Secondary School playground.

He highlighted the significant rise in life expectancy from 43 years in 1986 to 68.3 years today, attributing it to improved infrastructure, peace, and stability under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

“The tarmacked roads, electricity supply, hospitals, schools, and peace we enjoy today are the foundation for development,” he said, urging leaders to mobilise older persons to leverage these resources for economic empowerment.

“It must also be understood that economic development belongs to the community as a whole, but wealth is for individuals, companies, or groups. Now that Uganda enjoys peace and good infrastructure, leaders must help our people to focus on increasing household incomes and the creation of jobs,” President Museveni said.

He also called for the integration of the 33% of households still in subsistence farming into the money economy to meet demands beyond food, such as clothing, school fees, shelter and transport.

The President also congratulated Uganda’s older persons, numbering approximately 2.3 million according to the 2024 Uganda Population Census, for their lifelong contributions to the nation.

He outlined six key needs for older persons to ensure decent aging and longevity: a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, staying active, regular exercise, keeping good company, and maintaining a sustainable basic income.

He cautioned against negative practices like alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse, which undermine health and well-being.

“I urge older persons to keep busy, feed well, and exercise to age well,” he said, commending their role in Uganda’s transformation and pledging continued government support to honour and respect them.

At the climax of the event, Vice President Alupo launched the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development toll free line 116 on which older persons will be calling to report their concerns and abuses.

She also handed over a dummy cheque of sh311 million to beneficiaries of the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons for Busoga sub-region.

Minister Highlights Social Protection Achievements

The Minister of State for Older Persons, Dominic Gidudu Mafabi, echoed the President’s sentiments, detailing the government’s efforts to support older persons.

He noted that the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE), launched by President Museveni in 2010, now supports 350,000 older persons annually, with an additional 50,000 beneficiaries under other programs, totalling 400,000 beneficiaries.

“By the end of a five-year cycle, we aim to assist 2.5 million older persons,” he said, surpassing the current elderly population.

Mafabi also highlighted the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGO), which supports 13,449 beneficiaries aged 68-79 across 181 local governments, and the recent cash transfer program for elderly refugees in West Nile, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Ireland.

However, he identified challenges, including a funding gap of sh25.6 billion, the high eligibility age of 80 for SAGE, and limited access to government airtime for older persons’ councils to engage their peers.

He urged the Vice President to advocate for directives ensuring free radio airtime and improved access to geriatric healthcare and legal services.

Charles Isabirye Muwaya, the chairperson of the National Council for Older Persons, expressed gratitude for government support but called for increased funding, proposing a budget of sh7 billion to strengthen council operations.

He highlighted challenges such as limited access to healthcare, legal services for land and property disputes, and the need for decentralized pension verification processes.

“Older persons face loneliness and exclusion,” he said, requesting community resource centers and free airtime to enhance their engagement.

Marcus Prior, the Deputy Country Director of the WFP, praised Uganda’s commitment to social protection, citing the SAGE program and the recent cash transfer initiative for elderly refugees.

Quoting Nelson Mandela, he emphasised that a society that neglects its elderly “denies its roots and endangers its future.”

Prior called for sustainable mechanisms to promote economic security and intergenerational solidarity, ensuring older persons live with dignity.

Grace Hellen Asamo, the Minister of State for Disability Affairs, standing in for the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, commended the elderly for their resilience and wisdom.

She highlighted their experiences through Uganda’s turbulent past and their role in shaping its progress.

Asamo urged better strategies to mobilise older persons and people with disabilities in political processes, ensuring their votes count.

She also called for programs to preserve cultural values and mentor youth, warning that eroding morals threaten societal cohesion.

The event saw resolutions from the National Council’s Annual General Meeting, including a call to increase the SAGE grant allocation from 5% to 10% and to provide office spaces for district councils of older persons.

The celebration, coinciding with World Music Day and International Coffee Day, underscored Uganda’s commitment to honouring its elderly while addressing their economic and social needs.