Kiryandongo elders seek budget priority for SAGE expansion

The expansion of Uganda’s Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme is currently stalled due to a lack of funding. Minister of State for Older Persons, Jackline Mbabazi, announced that while Cabinet agreed to increase monthly grants from Shs 25,000 to Shs 35,000 and lower the eligibility age from 80 to 65, implementing these changes requires an additional Shs 252 billion not available in the current budget.

Mbabazi indicated she will continue to lobby the Cabinet to include these funds in the next financial year, starting in July 2027. During an induction for older persons’ councils in Kiryandongo, District Chairperson Nelson Osaga highlighted the gap in coverage, noting that of approximately 11,846 older persons in the district, only 1,331 currently receive SAGE benefits. Osaga advocated for the age reduction to 65, expressing concern that many elderly citizens may not reach the current 80-year threshold.

Deogratious Bazaale, Chairperson of the Kiryandongo District Older Persons Council, also noted that local councils lack sufficient resources to operate offices, monitor government programmes, or participate in community activities, leaving them heavily dependent on ministry support.