International day of older persons: Restoring the sizzle among older persons

What you need to know:

These are joyful but invisible achievements that may be masked by daily financial anxieties of mortgages, car loans and other social pressures

When you suddenly turn 50 years old and beyond, it may be harder to see the benefits of aging. However, dig deeper and you will find that there is a lot to be grateful for and celebrate that milestone in your life. In a country like Uganda, those 50 and above can actually celebrate being alive given the country’s turbulent past. You can celebrate having true family and friends, a career, the confidence built over time along with the wisdom.
These are joyful but invisible achievements that may be masked by daily financial anxieties of mortgages, car loans and other social pressures.

We are calling on all Ugandans to get ready to change many negative perceptions of old age and welcome Twejjukize 50 + Plus Association, an idea which was conceived by businessman Paul Wamala Mbaba., There is way too much obsession about fighting old age and very little, if any, of embracing it.

The association will comprise of men and women 50 years and above who still view old age in a positive and triumphant light. These are older citizens whose minds are not controlled by loss of youth, loss of mobility and even excessive materialistic trappings. Let’s not be overwhelmed by the misconception that our happiness declines as we age.

When Paul Mbaba finally turned 55 this year, he reflected on his life. Despite his father’s death while he was still a teenager, Uganda’s anarchy in the past and other life’s setbacks, he realised how lucky he was to be alive that old age can be a time of self-fulfillment, spirituality and happiness as well. He decided to spread this to other elderly seniors.

Through the association, a 50-Plus quarterly magazine is already in publication. It is the first of its kind in Uganda. It’s a memorabilia. It will showcase real life stories of those who have lived it. It will interview Ugandans 50+ Plus in Uganda and those who are scattered in today’s global village wherever they are in the five continents.

Readers will be swept away to know that this kind of magazine is homegrown and not an academic work of researchers. Sample copies were dispatched to the recent Uganda North American Association Convention. Others will be distributed to known similar diaspora gatherings in Europe, Nordic countries, South Africa and the Middle East.

In this first edition of the 50- Plus Magazine, you will find real life amazing and inspiring stories told by Ugandans in their own words. For example, you will find stories by Capt Mike Mukula, Patrick Katto, Maria Odido, Atwooki Phillip Katahoire and others.

They candidly share stories about their families, their successes and failures. They tell us about Uganda since independence in 1962 and Uganda now, their dreams and hopes for the future generations. There will be much more in subsequent editions including products, information and advice that are relevant to happier senior living.

Only a select number of advertisements from known responsible organisations will be accepted. The criteria will be based on companies that have a credible track record of serving Ugandans.

In Uganda, The 50-Plus magazine will be officially launched during the Twejjukize 50-Plus Fete planned for November 1 at the UMA Show Grounds.

The fete is intended to provide “a Blast From The Past” as Andrew Kagolo Seguya one of the organizers described it. Seguya said that the November fete will be an exclusive invite only affair to give the seniors a night to remember. This event will be organized biannually as the biggest reunion in the nation for those who are 50 plus.

They will enjoy the oldies but goodies music they grew up with. They will hear and dance to the music by Misty Jazz Band, Troket Band, Dan Mugula, Hadija Namale, Andrew Kyambadde, the OK Jazz Banda, may be Elvis Presley, Miriam Makeba and many others.

Many individuals and organisations sampled by promoters believe that this is a visionary idea whose time has come. Seniors need to come together “Bejjukize”byebayiseemu (remind themselves of what they have gone through) and pass the experiences onto their future generations.