Uganda will on Wednesday, October 1, join the global community in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), with this year’s celebrations emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen household incomes for the elderly.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday, Minister of State for Elderly Affairs Gidudu Mafwabi Dominic said the national celebrations will be held at St. John Secondary School, Wakitaka in Jinja City, with President Museveni expected to preside.
According to the 2024 National Population Census, older persons make up 5 percent of Uganda’s population—around 2.3 million people.
The minister stressed that economic security is central to well-being, noting that many seniors still face poverty, neglect, and social exclusion.
“This year’s theme, ‘Enhanced Household Incomes: A Key to Dignity and Respect for Older Persons,’ underscores that financial stability is critical to independence and respect in old age,” Mafwabi said.
The government highlighted initiatives such as the Senior Citizens Grant under the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), which currently reaches over 306,000 beneficiaries with quarterly payments, and the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP), supporting 13,449 individuals across 181 local governments.
Older persons are also included in broader national programs, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), where they make up 3 percent of over one million beneficiaries.
Additionally, a pilot cash transfer program for elderly refugees has been launched in Koboko and Yumbe districts with support from UNHCR and development partners.
Challenges remain, including funding gaps of over Shs29 billion for elderly programs, the high SAGE eligibility age of 80 years, and limited access to national IDs, which prevents some seniors from enrolling.
The government is considering reforms, including lowering the eligibility age, increasing grant amounts, allocating UGX 10 million per parish annually for older persons under PDM, and introducing special recognition for seniors above 80 years.
Activities for the Jinja celebrations include exhibitions, health camps, demonstrations of SAGE payments, and the launch of a toll-free helpline for reporting abuse of older persons.
Globally, the population of older persons is expected to reach nearly two billion by 2050, with Uganda’s elderly population projected to double to around four million.
“As we celebrate this year’s International Day of Older Persons, let us recommit to compassion, accountability, and transparency in protecting the rights and dignity of our senior citizens,” the minister said.