Government has re-affirmed commitment to continue promoting healthy and dignified ageing of older persons for progressive national development.
In a message released on Tuesday in preparation to mark the world elder abuse awareness day, Dominic Mafwabi Gidudu, the Minister of state for Gender, Labor and Social Development in charge of Elderly Affairs urged for love, respect and care for the group.
“As the day is commemorated, there is a call to stop Elder Abuse: Promote Healthy and dignified ageing for National Development,” the Minister said.
The commemoration of the World Elder abuse awareness day is usually held every June 15th, as an avenue to raising voices against abuses and suffering inflicted on older persons.
In Uganda, the national celebrations shall be held at Kaliro district headquarters on Wednesday under the theme of stop Elder Abuse: promote Healthy and dignified ageing for National Development.
The minister further noted that abuse of older persons has become a global crisis which affects their health and human rights.
He encouraged Ugandans to desist from any acts of abuse to older persons but treat them with respect, dignity and care.
According to Minister, there is urgent need to sensitize older persons to understand their rights as stipulated in the policy and legal frameworks.
“Elders who have attained the age of 60 years have faced physical, sexual, domestic, psychological, financial, self-neglect, neglect and isolation as forms of abuse in Uganda and globally,” Minister noted.
Currently, the government pays monthly sum of of Ugx 25,000 to older persons above 80 years under the Social Assistance Grnats for Empowerment (SAGE) programme through the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development.
As of January, 2022, the programme was reaching out to 304,046 across the country.