Government has earmarked a total of 149 billion shillings as it plans to roll out the Senior Citizens’ Grants program to 25 more new districts in the country by 2020.
This will bring the numbers of districts benefiting under the senior citizens’ grant to 40 from the initial 15 pilot districts since the launch of the program in 2010.
The fund will be spread in the next five years starting this current financial year 2015/ 2016 as government enrolls more beneficiaries.
So far, Government far has spent 4 billion shillings to support 123, 153 older persons in the fifteen district.
The United Kingdom’s Department for Foreign International Development (DFID/UKAid) and Irish Aid are expected to contribute around 290 billion shillings towards the social assistance for grant for empowerment (SAGE) meant to address poverty and vulnerability among older of 65 years and above.
Speaking in Gulu on Monday, Pius Ongom Okello, the Operations Manager- SAGE, says the program will be rolled in 20 new districts this financial year running.
Okello explained that the beneficiary district were selected based on the Uganda National Housing Survey (UNHS) 2009/10 statistics.
Okello said the statistics indicate the households in the new districts are poverty stricken and there is need for government to intervene and address the problem.
In each of the selected districts, according to Okello, 100 older persons will be identified and enrolled in the scheme.
New districts on the scheme are: Bundibugyo, Kaabong, Gulu, Abim, Kotido, Koboko, Agago, Pader, Mayuge and Namayingo.
Others are Nakasongola, Lamwo, Kibaale, Kamuli, Amolatar, Kisoro, Paliisa, Amuria, Kween and Kayunga.
At least 1,600 senior citizens in Gulu district are set to benefit under the scheme.
By 2020, the number of the beneficiaries in Gulu alone will have clocked around 7,000.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the District LCV Chairperson revealed that by the end of December, the beneficiaries will have been identified before they can start receiving 25,000 shilling per month by January 2016.
