Kagadi elderly persons want 25k monthly stipend doubled

Older persons in Kagadi District have appealed for their monthly stipend to be doubled from the current Shs25,000 per person.

The beneficiaries say the economy has changed so much over the years, leaving the Shs25,000 too meagre to support their needs.

Over one thousand older persons in Kagadi have lauded President Museveni for championing their lifestyle and Easter festive package through social assistance grant for empowerment (SAGE).

''Where as we are thankful to President Museveni and his government for the offer of our monthly honoraria, we request him to increase it to Shs50,000 per month because of the rising cost of living," John Mwesige, one of the beneficiaries, said.

"We use it to buy salt, soap and other basic needs. When we add transport costs to collect money from our sub-county headquarters, we are left with nothing."

Gerald Twinomujuni, a resident of Kyaterekera, said the age limit for beneficiaries should be lowered to 60 years instead of 80, claiming that at 80 many are almost dying.

''At 60, at least we can use that money to improve our lives but also at 80, picking that money from the sub-county is tiresome," Twinomujuni said.

The Muhoro subcounty chairman, Apollo Muhumuza, agrees to the older persons challenge of walking long distances to collect money and need to be considered in rising their pay to sustain their living conditions.

"Imagine one uses ten thousand shillings to go and pick twenty five thousand shillings because we know for a fact they can't walk, an increase would better so that such costs can be met," Muhumuza noted.