By Our Staff Reporter

ENTEBBE, UGANDA — October 1, 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for stronger government support for older persons in Uganda, including specialised healthcare, protection of family property and greater access to economic empowerment programmes.

The President made the call while hosting Uganda’s national celebrations to mark the International Day of Older Persons at State House, Entebbe.

The celebration was held under the theme “Ageing with Dignity; Strengthening Care and Support Systems.”

Museveni said Uganda needs a deliberate and comprehensive policy to address the specific needs of older persons, noting that the elderly have traditionally played an important role in families and communities.

“Elders are not new in society. They have always been there. I have not participated much in developing a deliberate policy for them. I think it is high time we do so,” he said.

Museveni proposes geriatricians in every district

On healthcare, Museveni proposed the introduction of specialised medical services for older persons at district level.

He said the Government could consider having at least one geriatrician in every district and provide scholarships to doctors willing to specialise in the treatment of older people.

“Maybe we can have a geriatrician per district,” Museveni said.

He also called for greater attention to nutrition and physical exercise among older persons, noting that lifestyle-related conditions can contribute to health complications as people age.

The President encouraged older persons to remain physically active and said regular exercise could help prevent some health problems associated with ageing.

President calls for protection of elderly people’s property

Museveni also raised concerns about conflicts between older persons and their children over inheritance and family property.

He said some older people fail to consult younger family members about their wealth, while some children and relatives disrespect elderly parents and attempt to take control of their property.

The President called for stronger legal protection for older persons against abuse and manipulation of inheritance.

He said Government should consider introducing a law to protect elderly people from children or relatives who seek to unfairly take over their property.

At the same time, he cautioned older persons against excessively dividing family land and other assets among their children, saying fragmentation can weaken the economic position of families.

He urged Government and other stakeholders to educate older persons about modern wealth-management practices, including the use of shares and other investments as alternatives to repeatedly dividing family property.

Older persons to benefit from PDM

Museveni defended the participation of older persons in the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying they should not be excluded from government economic empowerment programmes simply because of their age.

He said older people can invest in activities suited to their circumstances, including livestock such as goat rearing.

The President also acknowledged calls to reduce the eligibility age for the Senior Citizens Grant (SAGE) from 80 to 65 years and increase the monthly payment from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000.

However, he said Government currently has several competing financial priorities that require consideration.

The Minister of State for Older Persons, Jacqueline Mbabazi, said older persons continue to make significant contributions to Ugandan households and communities.

She revealed that more than 1.6 million older persons are breadwinners, challenging the perception that elderly people are largely dependent on other members of society.

Mbabazi said less than seven per cent of older persons have access to social protection, while more than 30 per cent of their allowances are spent on healthcare.

She said the theme of the celebration highlights the need to ensure that older persons participate in decisions affecting their lives while being protected from discrimination.

The Chairperson of the National Council for Older Persons, Ann Muhindo, welcomed Government programmes such as SAGE and PDM and commended the President for recognising older persons as a special interest group under the Constitution.

Muhindo called for the proposed reduction of the SAGE eligibility age to 65 years and an increase in the monthly grant to Shs35,000.

She also called for improved supplies of medicines at Health Centre IIIs serving older persons and the decentralisation of pension verification services.

Muhindo further asked Government to provide free legal services to elderly people facing land grabbing and other property-related disputes.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Uganda, Mags Gaynor, said development partners would continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of older persons.

Gaynor described older people as important custodians of knowledge who contribute to families, communities and the preservation of cultural heritage.

She called for social protection programmes to be predictable and reliable so that older persons can depend on them consistently.

At the end of the celebration, President Museveni launched the Daily Exercises Chart for Older Persons, containing simple exercises designed for elderly people to undertake individually or in groups.

According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the exercise chart is intended to help older persons remain active, healthy and physically strong.

The initiative is also expected to help reduce lifestyle-related health complications, including weakened bones and poor physical fitness.

The International Day of Older Persons was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990, while Uganda began commemorating the day in 1999.

The national celebration brought renewed attention to the need for stronger healthcare, social protection, economic empowerment and legal safeguards to enable Uganda’s older population to live with dignity and security.