NEWS– A section of Elderly persons in Kyanamira Sub county in Kabale district have expressed the need by the government to consider reducing the eligibility age for Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment-SAGE beneficiaries to at least 60 years minimum, claiming that it has left out a big number of vulnerable elderly persons.
They expressed the need at Nyakijumba and Nyamwerambiko primary Schools, during the meeting convened by the Ndorwa East Member of Parliament Hon Wilfred Niwagaba to find out challenges affecting constituents in the community.
It should be remembered that the government rolled out this scheme across the country and raised the minimum age of beneficiaries to 80 years. Each of the qualified older people has been getting a monthly payment of Ugx 25,000.
A 70 year old man who is also the Bwato Village LC1 Chairperson in Nyabushabi parish said that the government should consider reducing the beneficiary age to at least 60 years, arguing that persons above this age are very few. The village Chairperson added that in his village alone, he had two SAGE beneficiaries and is currently left with once since the other one died.
A 78 year old woman, Adellah Kentwiga, a resident of Nyakahita cell in Katookye parish, and 74 year old John Turyamureeba from Rwesaziro cell in Katookye village, said that at their age, the government should at least consider them under this program since people aged 80 years above are very few.
They all said that it’s unfair for the constitution to describe an old person like that who has clocked 60 years, but when it comes to such a program, it considers those above this age.
Cue in……..Older Persons on Sage
In response, Hon Niwagaba said that people above 60 to 79 years can apply for the program of Special Enterprises for older persons in the respective Sub counties, where a group of five people is eligible to getting interest free five million shillings that can help them start up small scale businesses like keeping animals or growing vegetables.
Cue in………..Niwagaba on Sage
