Uganda to celebrate older persons day focusing on rights and support

29 September 2025, 5:02 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

Uganda is set to observe Older Persons Day on 1 October 2025, recognising the invaluable contributions of the elderly to society. With approximately 2.4 million older persons in Uganda—around 5% of the country’s 56.9 million population—the event aims to highlight their roles as caregivers, mentors, and pillars of the community.

Despite their importance, older persons in Uganda face significant challenges, including limited access to healthcare, inadequate income, social exclusion, and the lack of national IDs. State Minister for the Elderly, Kidudu Mafabi, noted during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre that many elderly individuals lack national IDs, which hinders their ability to participate in business and access essential services.

“Elderly individuals have also lacked national IDs, which affects their participation in business and other activities,” Mafabi said.

The Minister added that older persons are also excluded from EMYOOGA initiatives, despite being custodians of valuable knowledge and skills, including traditional medicine. Access to EMYOOGA funds would allow them to mentor younger generations and ensure continuity of these skills. Furthermore, eminent older persons above 80 years have often been overlooked during public events due to limited slots. The government plans to explore additional mechanisms to ensure recognition across all sub-regions.

Older persons’ councils also face challenges in accessing government airtime, limiting their ability to utilise free radio to inform RDCs and councils about important matters. Prioritising older persons in access to accurate information is essential to facilitate healthy and dignified ageing, in collaboration with district health offices.

Several government programmes have been initiated to support older persons. The Senior Citizens Empowerment (SAGE) Programme provides a monthly entitlement of UGX 25,000, paid quarterly as UGX 75,000. A Social Cash Transfer Programme for Elderly Refugees, modelled on SAGE, operates in Bidibidi and Lobule settlements in Yumbe district, and Imvepi settlement in Koboko district. Additionally, older persons have been mainstreamed into the Parish Development Model (PDM) Agenda, with 3% of the 1,022,902 PDM beneficiaries being older persons.

On Older Persons Day, the government and stakeholders will raise awareness of the needs and rights of the elderly, advocating for supportive policies. Older persons are encouraged to contact their parish chiefs for information on SAGE eligibility and other government programmes to enhance their economic wellbeing.