Page 29 - Social Protection Newsletter

SoCIAl ProTeCTIon ProgrAMMeS

prioritised by Government include the Social The Uganda When Covid-19 struck, Uganda’s response to the
Assistance Grant for Empowerment Programmme Parliamentary Forum pandemic was swift and effective. However, the
(SAGE) to which Government allocated Shs.108.48 on Social Protection measures put in place to contain the spread of
recommended that
Billion in the budget of the FY2020/21. the IMF funds are the disease will have significant impact on society
This funding was to enable and facilitate a used to support the and the economy, with increase in unemployment
national roll out of the programme to all older ESP programme to and poverty as well as a loss of productivity
expedite the Covid-19
persons of 80 years and above. The efforts to have Social Protection in most sectors. Food insecurity, poverty and
this funding allocated involved advocacy efforts interventions marginalisation are expected to also rise among
at the grassroots through the national and district those groups that were previously food secure,
councils for older persons and at the political level, as many livelihood strategies that rely on market
through the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on will no longer be viable.
Social Protection (UPFSP). Ensuring continuous Job creation through Labour-Intensive Public
advocacy efforts will, thus, see social protection Works programmes in response to Covid-19
funding provided not only for the SAGE which is can form a critical part of offering paid work
a flagship programme for direct income support to people who are willing and able to work. It
component of the National Social Protection Policy. is recommended that the LIPW programmes
Other programmes under the policy that fall should be designed and implemented as part
within the direct income support component of a coherent set of economic, social protection
include the Third Northern Uganda Social Action and employment policies that collectively protect
Fund (NUSAF) that has a component of Labour minimum conditions in the labour market and at
Intensive Public Works programmes. To guide the the same time support economic recovery and
implementation of Labour Intensive Public Works transitions into formal employment.
programmes from a social protection perspective, The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social
Government developed the National Guidelines Development (MGLSD) has thus proposed a
for Labour Intensive Public Works programmes Cash for Work Programme (CWP) as one of the
with two volumes-the planning frameworks and interventions to address the needs of the urban
the technical designs manual.

Social Protection neWSletter 29