President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for a deliberate and comprehensive policy to support Uganda’s older persons, including specialised healthcare, stronger family protection and improved economic empowerment.
President Museveni made the call today while hosting Uganda’s celebrations to mark the International Day of Older Persons at State House, Entebbe.
The scientific and virtual celebration was held under the theme, “Ageing with Dignity; Strengthening Care and Support Systems.”
The International Day of Older Persons was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990 to promote understanding, respect and support for ageing populations. Uganda started commemorating the day in 1999.
Congratulating older persons upon the occasion, President Museveni said the Government needs to develop a comprehensive policy that addresses the unique needs of the elderly.
“Elders are not new in society. They have always been there. I have not participated much in developing a deliberate policy for them. I think it is high time we do so,” he said.
President Museveni said support for older persons should be built around three traditional pillars that have historically defined their place in Ugandan society—family, wealth and a home.
“An elder has a family, what we call omugurusi or omukakikuru. Very few elders don’t have families. Those are called encweekye. Secondly, an elder has wealth like cows, goats, land and these days buildings and investments in modern companies,” he said.
“Thirdly, he has a home. They used to have traditional ones and these days they have modern ones. So when we support elders, we should support them to either maintain this or have a bit of this,” he added.
The President said family relations involving older persons must be handled with honesty and mutual respect.
He noted that while some elders can become dictatorial and refuse to consult younger family members about their wealth, some children and relatives also neglect older persons or seek to take over their property.
“An elder should also learn how to consult young people on what they think,” he said.
President Museveni, however, expressed concern about children who disrespect their parents and attempt to manipulate inheritance.
“Children should protect and respect elders. It is even in the Ten Commandments that you should honour your father and mother so that your days may be many on earth. We should actually make a law because in our tradition elders should be protected from these children who disrespect them and try to distort inheritance like the prodigal son,” he said.
He also cautioned older persons against fragmenting family property among many children, saying excessive subdivision of land and other assets can leave families economically vulnerable.
The President urged Government and other stakeholders to sensitise Uganda’s estimated 2.3 million older persons about modern inheritance and wealth-management practices, including using shares and other arrangements instead of continuously fragmenting property.
On healthcare, President Museveni said the Government should provide older persons with guidance on nutrition and introduce specialised medical services targeting their needs.
He said he had recently learnt that, just as paediatricians specialise in treating children, geriatricians specialise in the healthcare of older persons.
“Maybe we can have a geriatrician per district. We can provide scholarships to doctors to study and specialise and after three years they are equipped with knowledge,” he said.
President Museveni also emphasised physical exercise as an important component of healthy ageing, saying lifestyle-related conditions can contribute to health complications among older persons.
He disclosed that he exercises regularly, including running and doing push-ups.
“Some of the problems older people have is that bones break down. Many of the diseases are caused by lifestyle, including smoking and drinking,” he said.
On economic empowerment, President Museveni defended the inclusion of older persons in the Parish Development Model (PDM), despite concerns raised by some parish officials about their ability to repay loans.
“I hear some chiefs fear giving elders money, claiming they don’t pay back. We insist that elders must get PDM money and if they don’t pay back there is no problem. The issue should be not misusing the money,” he said.
He said older persons could invest in activities such as goat rearing because many have fewer physical work demands.
President Museveni said the Government was also aware of calls to lower the eligibility age for the Senior Citizens Grant (SAGE) from 80 to 65 years and increase the monthly payment from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000.
However, he said the Government currently faces competing financial priorities.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, congratulated older persons upon the day and thanked President Museveni and other leaders for policies that have contributed to improvements in life expectancy, as reflected in national census data.
“Older persons have played a vital role in preserving cultural traditions and improving the economy,” she said.
Hon. Lumumba said older persons have continued to contribute to national development, provide guidance and uphold religious and cultural values.
“Thank you for holding this country together and for being part of this process,” she said.
She also commended the President for promoting the representation of older persons in leadership and noted that technology had enabled the virtual celebration to reach Ugandans across the country.
The Minister of State for Older Persons, Hon. Jacqueline Mbabazi, thanked President Museveni for hosting the national commemoration and said older persons remain valuable members of society who deserve recognition, dignity and respect.
She said the theme of this year’s celebration underscores the importance of enabling older persons to participate in decisions affecting their lives while protecting them from discrimination.
“This year’s theme was informed by the fact that over 1.6 million older persons are breadwinners. I appeal to everyone to clear the misconception that most older persons are just dependents,” she said.
Hon. Mbabazi said statistics indicate that less than seven per cent of older persons have access to social protection, while more than 30 per cent of their allowances is spent on healthcare.
Older persons seek better services:
The Chairperson of the National Council for Older Persons, Ms. Ann Muhindo, thanked President Museveni for recognising older persons as a special interest group under the Constitution.
She commended Government programmes such as SAGE and PDM and welcomed the proposal to lower the SAGE eligibility age from 80 to 65 years and increase the monthly grant from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000.
“We request that this development starts in the next financial year,” she said.
Ms. Muhindo also asked the Government to ensure adequate supplies of medicines at Health Centre IIIs serving older persons, decentralise pension verification and provide free legal services to elderly people facing land grabbing and related disputes.
Ireland pledges continued support:
The Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda, H.E. Mags Gaynor, said she was honoured to join Uganda in commemorating older persons and celebrating their contribution to families and communities.
She described older persons as custodians of knowledge who support households and preserve cultural heritage.
Ambassador Gaynor said social protection programmes should be predictable and reliable rather than being support that can be switched on and off.
She reaffirmed the commitment of development partners to continue supporting older persons in Uganda.
At the end of the celebration, President Museveni officially launched the Daily Exercises Chart for Older Persons.
The chart contains simple, age-appropriate exercises that older persons can undertake individually or in groups.
According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the chart is intended to keep older persons active, healthy and strong while helping reduce lifestyle-related complications, including weakened bones and poor physical health.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote healthy and dignified ageing in Uganda.
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