National Council for Older Persons

The National Council for Older Persons, a semi-autonomous body was established by the National Council of Older Persons Act 2013. This Council is mandated  to  guide, monitor and advise all stakeholders on quality service  delivery to older persons as provided for in  the National Policy on Older Persons in Uganda 2009 and  the National Objectives and Directive Principles  of State Policy Objective VII  of  Constitution of Uganda which  stipulates, ‘The State will make reasonable provision for the welfare  and maintenance of the aged’’

 

Composition of the National Council for Older Persons:

  1. two older persons, male and female from each region elected by the district executive committees of older persons;
  2. one representative of Non-Governmental Organisations working with older persons appointed by the Minister in consultation with the National Network for Organisation of Older Persons;
  3. one geriatrician experienced in managing diseases of older persons, appointed by the Minister in consultation with the National Network for Organisations of Older Persons;
  4. one social gerontologist, experienced in managing socio economic aspects of older persons appointed by the Minister in consultation with the National Network for Organisation of Older Persons;
  5. one representative from the following government Ministries, as ex-officio members—
  6. Ministry responsible for gender, labour and social development;
  7. Ministry responsible for health;
  • Ministry responsible for public service;
  1. Ministry responsible for finance, planning and economic development; and
  2. Ministry responsible for local government.

 

 

Functions of National Council for Older Persons are: 

  1. to act as a body at national level through which the needs, problems, concerns, potentials and abilities of older persons can be communicated to government and its agencies.
  2. to monitor and evaluate the extent to which Government, NGOs and the private sector include and meet the needs of older persons in their planning and service delivery
  3. to act as a co-coordinating body between Government departments, other service providers and older persons.
  4. to solicit for and acquire funds and other resources from Government and development partners for use in the performance of the national council's functions.
  5. to advocate for the promotion of and encourage activities and individuals for the promotion and development of programmes and projects designed to improve the lives and situation of older persons
  6. to carry out or commission surveys and investigations in matters or incidents relating—
  • to violation of rights of older persons;
  • to non-compliance with policies, programmes; and

to take appropriate action in relation to the surveys and investigation or refer the matter to the relevant authority.

  1. to hold annual general meetings of representatives from district councils for older persons for the purpose of reviewing the council's performance and plan for the subsequent year
  2. to assist the Electoral Commission to ensure the conducting of free and fair elections of representatives of older persons to the respective local government councils
  3. to perform any other function relating to the foregoing or conducive or incidental to the carrying out of the objects of the national council as the Minister may determine.

On-going activities:

  • advocacy for equal opportunities
  • protection of older persons rights
  • coordination and networking with stakeholders
  • provision of support to electoral process for election of older persons
  • advocacy for access to age friendly services, economic empowerment and financial inclusion, legal representation and other public services
  • monitoring ad evaluation of mainstreaming of older persons issues in laws, policies, plans and programmes of government, CSOs/NGOs and private sector
  • Raising awareness on, and against Ageism.