Uganda: Parliament approves motion on geriatric care, demands increase in Senior Citizens Grant for the Elderly (SAGE)

Parliament has approved a motion calling for improved geriatric healthcare and stronger social protection for older persons with legislators pressing government to honour its commitment to increase the Senior Citizens Grant for the Elderly (SAGE) from Shs25,000 to Shs35,000 a month. Sironko District Woman Representative, Hon. Asha Mafabi moved the motion on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 amid concerns that Uganda’s growing population of older persons is struggling to access specialised healthcare, social protection and money meant to support them. The debate also exposed the gap between government’s announcement of a higher SAGE and its implementation with the Minister of State for Elderly Affairs, Hon. Jacqueline Mbabazi admitting that the Shs35,000 payments was not provided for in the 2026/27 national budget. She said government nevertheless needed to find the money because older persons were supporting millions of dependants. “The people above 60 are looking after families with a population of 7.2 million people and they are the only ones looking after these people. And therefore, it is important to get that Shs35,000,” she said. The motion noted that Uganda has more than 1.4 million p