KAMPALA, July 23, 2024 – The Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment [ SAGE ], a social protection programme for older persons in Uganda has seen government disburse over Shs 565.7 billion to the beneficiaries since it was initiated a decade ago, according to Gender Minister Betty Amongi.
Addressing SAGE National Review and Coordination meeting held at the Office of the President in Kampala recently, Amongi said the programme has since supported older persons aged 80 years and above to solve some of the social-economic challenges they face.
Under the programme, beneficiaries receive Shs 25,000, every month, although the minister added that there is also Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons [SEGOP], which targets older persons of 60-79 years, in groups of 5-10 people.
She said currently, SAGE reaches over 304,046 beneficiaries who receive their money every quarter. She urged local government leaders to strengthen the monitoring of SAGE and other government programmes.
In the financial year 2023/24, Amongi said SAGE paid over Shs121.22bln to beneficiaries while in the current financial year government allocated Shs 100.42bln to the beneficiaries.
He says the National Special Grant for PWDs is also delivered to groups of 5-10 persons with disabilities, to enable them to engage in a common enterprise.
She said her ministry also oversees a number of rehabilitation centres in the country, which provide social care and support services to children and that it has since done a great job amidst funding, human resource capacity gaps, among others.
She said government is working on health insurance scheme bills which is expected to improve the healthcare system in the country.
The SAGE National Review and Coordination meeting was attended by local government leaders and officials such as district chairpersons, chief administrative officers, resident district commissioners, mayors, district community development officers, and others.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-amongi-lauds-fao-for-expanding-social-protection/
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