Sick elderly to receive sage cash from home

ELDERLY|SAGE|KADAGA

BUSOGA - The newly-introduced cash delivery initiative for weak and bedridden elderly to receive their stipend at home has excited the beneficiaries.

The cash is provided under the Social Assistance Grant for the Elderly (SAGE).

The new approach, according to the gender minister, Frank Tumwebaze, is aimed at minimising transport costs, the time and risks the elders face accessing the money.

The launch took place in Mbarara City, where the retired West Ankole Bishop, Joram Bamubona, was among the first beneficiaries.

The move puts an end to scenarios where sick elderly were being carried to the venues to get their stipend.

Besides, the intervention is also expected to put an end to incidents where dishonest relatives have been accessing the money.

Dr Lawrence Buteraba, the chairperson of Kamuli district elders' league, on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the initiative.

"Some relatives would sign for the money, but would not deliver it. Sometimes, if they did deliver it, it would be less," he said.

He was grateful for the sh25,000 monthly pay, but asked the Government to increase it to at least sh100,000.

The SAGE co-ordinator for Kamuli, Erina Namukasa Kigongo, said the move shall build trust between the beneficiaries, the SAGE team and PostBank, the service provider.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, hailed SAGE, rating it as one of the most successful government programmes with a bearing of good political and social will.

Joseph Basoga, the SAGE spokesperson, said currently, the project has been rolled to over 50 districts and is still counting.

In Busoga, SAGE serves over 2,500 people in Kamuli, Namayingo, Mayuge, Buyende and Bugiri.

Samuel Masaba Wekesa, the gender ministry's acting director for social protection, said SAGE aims at facilitating 226,000 elderly in the next five years countrywide.

Mzee Keefa Gumula, 82, a resident of Nawantumbi in Nawanyago sub county, Kamuli district, said he was happy that his name had been included on the list of beneficiaries.

Gumula, a former teacher, said he will use the stipend to improve his diet and buy drugs.