Kiryandongo older persons demand greater support as SAGE expansion awaits funding
He called on older persons to continue mentoring young leaders and participating in community leadership.
Kiryandongo: Older persons in Kiryandongo District have called for increased government funding and improved access to social protection, as plans to expand the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme remain pending due to lack of funds.
The Minister of State for Older Persons, Jackline Mbabazi, said Cabinet agreed last year to increase the monthly SAGE grant from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000 and lower the eligibility age from 80 to 65 years.
However, Mbabazi said implementing the changes requires an additional Shs252 billion, which was not available in the current financial year.
She said she would continue engaging Cabinet to consider the funding in the next financial year starting in July 2027.
Mbabazi was speaking during the induction of Kiryandongo District and sub-county older persons’ councils.
Kiryandongo District Chairperson Nelson Osaga said the district has about 11,846 older persons, but only 1,331 are currently benefiting from SAGE.
Osaga urged government to lower the eligibility age to 65, arguing that many elderly people may not live long enough to benefit under the current threshold of 80 years.
“The elders have been there before us. They have experience, and we need their guidance,” Osaga said.
He called on older persons to continue mentoring young leaders and participating in community leadership.
Meanwhile, Kiryandongo District Older Persons Council Chairperson Deogratious Bazaale said older persons’ councils remain inadequately funded, making them heavily dependent on support from the Ministry.
Bazaale said inadequate resources affect the councils’ ability to monitor government programmes, operate their offices and participate effectively in activities such as Older Persons Day celebrations.
He also called for increased funding for older persons’ groups, noting that Kiryandongo currently has only three groups supported annually under the SEGOP programme.
Bazaale further appealed for the operationalisation of district older persons’ offices and improved transport support for Community Development Officers and council leaders to facilitate monitoring of programmes.
On health, he called for better access to healthcare and increased attention to non-communicable diseases affecting older persons.
Mbabazi said the Ministry is also pursuing a proposal for a medical insurance scheme for older persons, which has been presented to Cabinet for consideration.
The induction brought together district and sub-county older persons’ councils to strengthen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in representing older citizens.
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