63,000 elderly at risk due to SAGE program budget cuts, minister warns

Minister of State for Elderly Affairs, Dominic Mafwabi Gidudu, has expressed concerns over Shs 21 billion budget cut to the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program, which provides monthly stipends to older Ugandans.

This funding shortfall jeopardises the livelihoods of 63,000 senior citizens who depend on Shs 25,000 each month for their basic needs.

As the country prepares for the 2024 International Day for Older Persons on October 1, the challenges facing the elderly population have come to the forefront.

During a media briefing, Minister Gidudu urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate a supplementary budget to address this critical issue.

“This funding shortfall will severely impact the lives of many elderly people who rely on these funds,” he stated.

This year's International Day for Older Persons, themed “Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Older Persons; Everyone’s Responsibility because Ageing is Not Optional,” will be held in Masaka City, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to preside over the national celebrations.

In addition to the SAGE program, the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP), which supports small businesses run by older individuals, is also facing a Shs 7 billion funding gap.

So far, SEGOP has assisted 9,932 older persons across 181 local governments, but a lack of resources could halt the program’s progress.

Minister Gidudu further expressed frustration over the delayed implementation of a government pledge to lower the SAGE program’s eligibility age from 80 to 65 years, a move that would expand the number of beneficiaries.

This commitment, made in 2018, remains unfulfilled, with inflation adding pressure on calls to raise the monthly stipend to Shs 35,000.

Another pressing issue highlighted by Minister Gidudu is the alarming increase in elder abuse cases.

According to a 2023 study by Maria Atim, 86% of Uganda’s older persons suffer from neglect, while 25% face physical abuse, 49% endure psychological abuse, and 47% are victims of financial exploitation.

“Elder abuse is a growing problem that requires urgent attention,” Gidudu warned, calling for stronger protections and more awareness to safeguard the rights of the elderly.

He urged for the inclusion of elderly issues in government programs and for community-based initiatives to prevent abuse.

Despite these obstacles, Uganda has made strides in improving the welfare of older citizens.

The SAGE program currently supports 307,123 individuals aged 80 and above, providing them with a measure of financial security.

The government has also developed a National Social Protection Strategy to ensure that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, have access to essential services and financial support.

Minister Gidudu announced that the Revised National Policy for Older Persons 2024 will be launched during the Masaka celebrations, strengthening the frameworks that promote and protect the rights of older persons in Uganda.

As the International Day for Older Persons approaches, Minister Gidudu called for collective efforts to address the challenges facing Uganda’s aging population.

He emphasised the need for increased funding, improved healthcare services, and specialized care facilities for elderly individuals without family support.

“Uganda’s aging population is growing, and we must ensure that older persons are not left behind,” he stated, highlighting the importance of intergenerational solidarity.