Page 22 - Social Protection Newsletter

nSr SuCCeSS STorIeS

local economies. registered have errors on their ID cards – showing
Following the successful implementation of them to be younger and yet they are actually of
the SCG during the pilot (Phase I), Government at the individual the eligibility age. These issues are being handled
took a decision to roll out the grants in a phased and household by the MGLSD .
manner to an additional 40 districts over a period
of 5 years, from FY 2015/16 up to FY2020/21. level, evidence Impacts of the programme
This roll out started with 20 districts in FY shows that the The programme has been a subject of several
2015/16, and subsequently added 5 new districts sage programme national and international studies. Impact
every year, over a four year period as follows: has improved evaluation and other assessment studies have
the welfare of been undertaken on the programme, with
FY 2015/16: the older people overwhelming evidence that the SAGE grants
• Agago, Amolatar, Amuria, Bundibugyo, and their families have strong social, economic and political benefits
Kamuli, Kayunga, Kibaale, Kisoro , at the individual, household and community
Kween, Lamwo, Mayuge, Nakasongola, through increased levels. These include:
Namayingo, Pallisa, Abim, Gulu, Kaabong, food security; At the individual and household level, evidence
Koboko, Kotido and Pader frequency, quantity shows that the SAGE programme has improved
and quality of the welfare of the older people and their families
FY2016/17: meals; access and through increased food security; frequency,
• Amuru, Bugiri, Kabale, Kitgum and uptake of health quantity and quality of meals; access and uptake
Nakaseke of health services and education services among
services
children living with older people; improved ability
FY 2017/18: to deal with economic shocks among older
• Dokolo, Kasese, Mubende, Sembabule, and persons and their households. These are building
Sheema blocks for socio-economic transformation at the
individual and household levels.
FY2018/19: Evidence also now shows that the SAGE
• Adjumani, Alebtong, Kumi, Moyo and programme has increased productivity of
Otuke beneficiary households through investment of
grants by older persons to hiring of labour to open
Over the years and following the highly up their hitherto idle land; purchase of livestock
visible impacts of the SCG to individuals, for rearing; and procurement of better farm inputs.
households and communities that receive it, Increased savings and investment has been
there has been heightened popular demand observed amongst SAGE beneficiaries. In fact
from all over the country for the programme older persons have formed their own savings
to be rolled out to cover all older persons in all and loan groups. These savings are used to cover
districts in the country. emergencies, to support productive investments

National Roll Out
It is on the back of these achievements and
impacts that the programme has over the years
generated a lot of demand for national expansion.
Government’s decision to roll out the programme
to all districts in the country was a response to
the popular demand.
Following the successful roll out some of the
key issues now include the call by stakeholders
to Government to lower the eligibility age from
80 to 65. Government is examining the proposal
to lower the age to 65 years and the country will
be informed on decisions that will be taken.
The other challenge is the issue of the National
Identification Card (NIC). Many older persons
are not registered with NIRA, while some who In compliance with Covid-19 preventive SOPs, an elderly woman washes hands at
arrival at point where she received her money.

22 Social Protection ne WS letter