Uganda has a universal state pension that is only available to citizens over the age of 80. And despite repeated assurances to extend access to anyone over 60 or 65, there has still been no progress. Furthermore, the benefit is not enshrined in law and since the benefit is also low, it is not perceived as a pension, but as a form of charity for the poor elderly.
In the second phase of the project, we are still trying to change this, so that in the future, the Senior Citizen’s Grant will be seen as a pension that all older persons are entitled to. This is done in collaboration with the Ugandan human rights organisation ISER, which has been part of the project since its first phase, started in June 2024.
The project aims to strengthen social protection for older persons in Uganda by creating greater support from decision-makers and the general population to increase investment in social transfers in Uganda.
The project addresses systematic barriers such as age-based exclusion and underfunding of social protection through research, budget analysis, and community mobilisation. Civil society is strengthened through training, advocacy, and peer-learning forums that empower local civil society organisations to promote accountability.
By advocating for more inclusive policies (e.g. lower age limits and increased funding), the project seeks to expand coverage of services, lift older people out of poverty, and ensure their participation in decision-making processes.
This rights-based approach creates both tangible improvements in the here and now and helps to ensure a more inclusive and dignified place for older persons in Uganda in the long term.
