Uganda Parliament Calls for Faster Social Protection Reforms for Older Persons

October 1, 2026 in by Editor

Uganda’s Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection is calling for faster SAGE reforms, national health insurance and stronger geriatric care for older persons.

 

The Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection (UPFSP) has called for faster implementation of social protection and healthcare reforms for older persons, warning that weakening family support systems and rising healthcare costs are increasing their vulnerability.

Marking the International Day for Older Persons on Thursday, the forum said Uganda’s ageing population requires stronger public systems to ensure that older people can live with dignity and access essential services.

This year’s national theme is “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons.”

The forum said older persons remain important custodians of Uganda’s history, values and knowledge, but many face growing economic and social pressures as traditional family safety nets come under strain.

A key priority highlighted by the parliamentary forum is the planned reform of the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme.

The forum welcomed Cabinet’s decision to lower the eligibility age for SAGE from 80 to 65 years and increase the monthly grant from UGX25,000 to UGX35,000.

It called on the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide the necessary budgetary allocations to support the expanded programme and ensure that eligible older persons can access the benefit.

The forum also urged Parliament and the Ministry of Health to accelerate consideration of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Bill, arguing that many older Ugandans currently lack health insurance and face increasing healthcare costs.

According to the forum, a national health insurance system based on cross-subsidisation could improve access to affordable healthcare for older persons.

It further called for greater attention to geriatric care, including deliberate training of healthcare workers in the treatment and care of older people and the development of age-friendly infrastructure in health facilities.

The forum said it would use its legislative, oversight and budgetary roles to push for policies and laws that protect the rights and welfare of older persons.

The call comes as Uganda confronts a broader question about how its social protection system should respond to demographic change, particularly as traditional household-based support mechanisms face pressure from economic hardship, healthcare costs and changing family structures.

The parliamentary forum is rooting for shift ageing from being viewed primarily as a source of vulnerability towards a stage of life supported by predictable income, accessible healthcare and appropriate social services.