SAGE grants distribution kicks off in Teso Sub Region

ELDERLY FUNDS  

Post Bank Uganda, has kicked off the disbursement of government grants to senior citizens aged 80 years and above, following the roll-out of Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) in Teso-Sub region.

SAGE started in 2016 as an initiative to reduce poverty amongst the elderly who have a low productivity and can barely go to work.
 
The distribution was kicked off by Peace Regis Mutuuzo, the state minister for gender and culture. She unveiled the SAGE program in Teso-Sub region at Mukura sub-county, Ngora district.

Ngora, Bukedea, Soroti and Serere are among the new districts within Teso to be added to the program.

"The ministry was set to roll out the SAGE program to over 135 districts but due to COVID-19, the exercise was halted. However, since we now have approvals on the Standard Operating Procedures from the national taskforce, we are glad to resume the process hence the launch here today in Ngora to cover the elderly in Teso-sub region," Mutuuzo said.

The program uses PostBank's mobile vans (Bank on wheels) to disburse funds to elders on a bi-monthly basis. The vans will work as service points and reach the last mile in hard to reach areas where connectivity is a challenge.

Speaking at the launch, Albert Barekye, the Post Bank Uganda General Manager Operations pointed out that the addition of the Teso-sub region takes it to 85 districts benefiting over 230,000 senior citizens countrywide. He advised the elderly persons to use their money profitably.