Leaders in Hoima call for SAGE age reduction

Elderly leaders and older persons in Hoima want president Yoweri Museveni and government to consider reducing on the age required for one to benefit from social assistance grants for empowerment (SAGE) from 80 years to 60 years which is the civil servant’s retirement age saying most people die before the age of 80 thus there is going to be time when the money will not benefit anyone.

According to Zakaliya Byaruhanga who represents the elderly as councillor in Hoima city west says the current age cap of 80 is so high and even a few people that get to that age hardly enjoy the money since they are close to dying time.

“Look how people are living up to that age of 80, they are very few and even a few people that make it to that age they hardly enjoy the money, my appeal as a person who represent elder persons in Hoima city west is to have this age revised from 80 to at least 60 or 65 which is the age for civil servants retiring, at 60 one is strong to enjoy this benefit from government” Zakaliya appealed

Zakaliya believes if the age is revised the older persons will be able to use this money to better their lives.

“Ofcourse I know the money is less, but it’s better to get it when you are energetic, some of them have small shops, do farming it can help them in one way or the other, but of course we also appeal to have this money risen from shs 25,000 to at least shs 50,000 we know our government has money, this will make more meaning” He said

Gladys Mate, who represents the elderly in Hoima city east, is appealing to older persons to form saccos, groups and associations so that they can benefit from government programs.

“The older persons are entitled to benefit from most of these government programs but most of them hardly form associations and groups which is a requirement, I want to urge them to form groups so that they can benefit from PDM, Emyooga and many more programs coming” Mate said

Benard Sentaro, an elderly resident of Rusembe claims the market prices for commodities have risen due to inflation and economic changes and the money they get is so little.

“My appeal to government is to consider the changing market price, but the money being given to us is less, but we get to the same market, maybe if Government can tell people operating shops to reduce the cost for us elder persons, if not we kindly ask government to increase the pay” Sentaro said

John Bosco Muhanuzi the Hoima city east mayor says, they will add their voice to the demands of the older persons.

“We really agree with the old people, especially on reducing the age cap, but also an increment but I can’t promise that it will be achieved today, I will advance the voice to the members of parliament so that it can be debated by parliament to see how best it can be achieved, truly they have a point that is a fact” Muhanuzi said

This comes at a time Uganda celebrated the National elder persons in Masaka on Tuesday.