President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the training of more than 140 geriatricians within the next three years to strengthen specialised healthcare services for older persons across the country. The specialists are expected to be deployed across all districts to provide medical care tailored to the needs of older people, whose population is estimated at 2.3 million, according to recent census data.
Museveni issued the directive during the national celebrations to mark the International Day of Older Persons at State House, Entebbe, held under the theme, “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems.” Geriatricians are medical doctors who specialise in the healthcare and treatment of older adults, with particular attention to health conditions and needs associated with ageing.
The President said training and deploying the specialists would help bridge gaps in healthcare services for older persons and ensure they can access appropriate medical care closer to their communities. Museveni also called for the development of a policy to protect older persons from threats to their property and strengthen social protection mechanisms for the elderly.
He said older persons face increasing threats from family members, undisciplined children and opportunists seeking to exploit their advanced age and vulnerability to take away their property. The President called for firm action against individuals who exploit older persons and deprive them of their wealth. He further advised older persons to invest in productive assets such as land, livestock and buildings, which can provide sustainable sources of income in old age.
Museveni also urged elderly parents to adopt modern wealth-preservation and inheritance practices to safeguard family wealth for future generations. He encouraged parents to involve their families in discussions about the management and preservation of their estates, cautioning against dictatorial approaches that limit knowledge-sharing and undermine the protection of family wealth.
The President cited inheritance through shares and improved property-management systems as some of the mechanisms that could help preserve family wealth and prevent its gradual depletion. He also cautioned children against possessive and entitlement tendencies towards their elderly parents, urging families to respect and protect the rights and property of older persons. Museveni further advised older persons to prioritise healthy living by following health guidelines, maintaining proper nutrition and engaging in regular physical exercise.
He encouraged them to pursue investments that are less labour-intensive and better suited to their age, citing goat rearing and other income-generating activities that can provide sustainable livelihoods without exposing them to excessive physical strain. The President also defended the 10 percent allocation for older persons under the Parish Development Model, cautioning against the diversion of funds meant to support their economic empowerment. He promised to meet with representatives of older persons and pledged to ensure adequate financial appropriation for their needs as the population of older persons continues to grow.
Museveni said he would take action on their concerns after the ongoing preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which he noted had required significant government resources. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Elder Persons, Jacqueline Mbabazi, outlined additional government measures aimed at strengthening the welfare, protection and access to services for older persons.
Mbabazi said government plans to establish a health support scheme for older persons to address challenges in accessing healthcare services. She said wellness centres would also be established to provide older persons with regular health checks and other preventive healthcare services. The Minister said government was further working on measures to protect older persons from opportunists who seek to exploit their vulnerability and take away their property.
She added that legal support centres would be established to help older persons access justice and protect their rights. Mbabazi also said government would ensure that older persons benefit from the 10 percent allocation under the Parish Development Model to enable them to participate in income-generating activities and improve their livelihoods.
She highlighted existing government initiatives supporting older persons, including the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), the Parish Development Model, group enterprises and representation of older persons at various levels of leadership. The Minister said the interventions are intended to strengthen social protection, economic empowerment and the participation of older persons in community and national affairs.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, also said the government is on course in its efforts to transform the welfare and livelihoods of older persons. Lumumba cited SAGE, the Parish Development Model and other socioeconomic empowerment and social protection initiatives as key interventions aimed at improving household incomes and strengthening the economic wellbeing of older persons-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
