Retired civil servants in Gulu district have appealed to the government to reconsider its policy on the Social Assistance Grant for Empower (SAGE) to include retired civil servants.
With support from the British Department for foreign International Development and Irish Aid, the government has disbursed 87.2 billion shillings to elderly persons in 15 districts benefiting 123, 153 elderly persons. Each of the elderly person on the scheme earns a stipend of 25,000 shillings per month.
Under the SAGE program, individuals who are on pension as well as those who are benefiting under the National Social Security Fund are not legible for the senior citizens’ grant.
But pensioners in Gulu are now asking to be included on the scheme citing advanced age and their meager pensions as reason why they should be included.
Tori Arwany, 84, a retired Primary School head teacher says it is unfair for them to be excluded. Arwany explains that not considering him on the ground that he served the government and he is now a pensioner is wrong.
Arwany who retired in 1998 stressed that age should be the main factor in enlisting one for such support but not his background as a former civil servant.
He says after retiring, the money he receives in pension is not enough and the SAGE cash would help supplement his earnings.
The retired primary school teacher faults the government on its guidelines and says it is his right to benefit since he is above the age of 65.
Onek Latom, the Spokesperson for Gulu Old Age Association noted that majority of elderly persons have a poor diet, lack proper accommodation and are neglected by members of their own families.
Latom explained that due to a break down in the social fabric of society, the elderly are forced to fend for themselves despite their advanced age. He asked government to consider all senior citizens on SAGE but not a few individuals adding that the 25,000 shillings stipend and their pensions would be sufficient to meet their basic needs.
But Pius Ongom Okello, the Operations Manager- SAGE says those on government pension or eligible for government pension will not benefit. Okello further explained that the beneficiaries of the SAGE programme are the neediest and that the grant is a social protection intervention meant to address poverty and vulnerability among older persons.
