Former Makerere University Chancellor, Professor Ezra Suruma, has called on the Ugandan government to use some of the country’s oil revenues to improve the lives of elderly citizens.
Professor Suruma made the statement at a workshop held at the Lugogo UMA Show Grounds. The event was organized by the Ministry of Gender and the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER).
Recent census data shows that Uganda has 2.3 million elderly people, making up 5% of the population. However, nearly 48% of these elderly people live in extreme poverty, struggling to afford basic necessities such as soap, sugar, salt, and oil. Suruma described this as a great shame for the country.
He pointed out that countries like Norway and some U.S. states, such as Alaska, have created funds that invest 20% of their national oil revenues. The profits from these funds are then used to improve the lives of the elderly. Suruma believes Uganda can implement a similar initiative.
Angella Kasule Nabwowe, the President of ISER, emphasized the need for elderly citizens to have identity cards to access government benefits. Unfortunately, mistakes made during registration by staff at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) have caused barriers for many elderly people. Nabwowe mentioned that ISER is in discussions with NIRA officials to resolve these registration issues.
Livingstone Ssenkungu, the head of the elderly in Kayunga District, also criticized the government and others for treating the elderly’s concerns in a dismissive and shameful manner.
