Elderly want allowances increased
Mr Jamili Mukose, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, after receiving his money at Mayuge Town Council headquarters last week. Photo by Yazid Yolisigira.
Mayuge.
Senior citizens in Mayuge District want the government to increase their monthly grant from Shs25,000 to Shs50,000.
The elders, who were just recently paid two-months allowances, thanks to the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment programme (SAGE) under which the Senior Citizen’s Grant falls, say the current monthly allowances do not take care of all their basic demands.
Speaking after receiving their monthly grants at Mayuge Town Council headquarters last week, most of the elders, especially from Kigandalo, Bukaboli and Mpumgwe sub-counties, as well as Mayuge Town Council, said the monthly welfare fund should be revised upwards.
Too little
Mr Kadir Mpangu, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, said although the Shs25,000 they are receiving every month comes in handy, it is too little to see them through the next 30 days when the next grant is due.
However, Malongo Sub-county community development officer, Mr Ali Kyamusana, who also doubles as the Mayuge District SAGE focal person, urged the elders receiving the monthly allowance to invest it in what he called developmental programmes.
The programme
The Senior Citizens Grant is given to citizens aged 65 and above except for Karamoja sub-region where those who qualify should be from 60 years and above.
