Hoima PWDs, others receive Shs 82mln to boost their livelihoods
HOIMA, April 29, 2026 — Hoima District Local Government has begun the disbursement of Shs 82 million to persons with disabilities [ PWDs ] and older persons in a bid to improve their livelihoods.
According to district authorities, the Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development [MGLSD], released Shs 20 million under the Special Grant for Older Persons [SEGOP], while Shs 62 million was allocated under the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities.
Officials said the Shs 20 million will benefit four elderly groups, including Kyamirima-Kyakaseta, Buhanika and Kyabigambire. Meanwhile, the Shs 62 million will support 14 groups of persons with disabilities, including those in Kubugubya-Bugomoro, Kabaale, Kapaapi, Kiganja, Mbobo and Buhanika.
The beneficiary groups are engaged in various income-generating activities such as poultry keeping, piggery, goat rearing and vegetable growing, among others.
While commissioning the disbursement recently, the Hoima District LCV Chairperson, Uthman Mugisha Mubarak, commended the Government for the initiative, saying it would improve household incomes among the targeted beneficiaries.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the District Secretary for Social Services, Hillary Tumusiime, Mugisha cautioned the groups against mismanaging the funds. He noted that many groups fail due to misuse of government funds intended to fight poverty.
He emphasised that the money is seed capital and urged beneficiaries to invest it in productive enterprises to achieve its intended purpose.
“This money is not refundable; it is given to support you to generate income for your households. We have given you this money—go and invest it wisely to avoid living a life of begging,” he said.
Hoima District Community Development Officer Kenneth Ebong, who also serves as the Focal Person for PWDs and older persons, expressed optimism that the funds would transform the lives of the beneficiaries.
He noted that such groups are financially vulnerable and often lack access to formal financial support, which affects their livelihoods.
Ebong reiterated that the funds are non-refundable and urged beneficiaries to use them responsibly, adding that the money will only be beneficial if invested wisely.
One of the beneficiaries, John Tumwesige, expressed excitement about the funding, saying it would enable them to engage in income-generating activities and become more self-reliant.
The Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons supporting citizens aged 60–79 to improve livelihoods through income-generating projects. It targets those not receiving the Senior Citizens Grant [SAGE] by providing funds for group-based enterprises, such as farming and poultry.
On the other hand, the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities aims to promote economic empowerment, improve livelihoods, and enhance financial inclusion for PWDs. It provides funding to organized groups of 5–10 PWDs for income-generating projects and business, with a recent focus on offering “top-up” funds to mitigate the extra costs of disability.
https://thecooperator.news/sage-govt-spends-shs-2bln-on-the-elderly-in-lango/
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