Rukiga Member of Parliament, Patrick Kiconco Katabaazi, has urged the Ugandan government to expedite the implementation of a Cabinet resolution to lower the eligibility age for the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) from 80 to 65 years. He made the call during the launch of the Rukiga District Community Skilling Program, "Emikono Yeitu," in Bukinda Sub-county. The program aims to equip residents with practical skills to enhance their employability and self-reliance.
Currently, under the SAGE program, Ugandans aged 80 and above receive a monthly stipend of UGX 25,000. Although the Cabinet passed a resolution in November 2025 to lower the eligibility age, it has not been implemented due to a lack of allocated funds in the 2026/2027 budget. MP Kiconco, who was involved in the early development stages of SAGE, expressed concern that almost a year later, the resolution had yet to be implemented.
The resolution to lower the age for SAGE eligibility was officially announced in November 2025 by then-Minister of State for Older Persons, Dominic Mafabi Gidudu. An additional UGX 252.16 billion was proposed to be injected into the program for the 2026/2027 fiscal cycle, raising the total SAGE budget to UGX 373.36 billion. However, the implementation has been delayed.
Minister of Gender and Culture, Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, acknowledged that the Cabinet resolution had been passed and that President Yoweri Museveni had approved the idea. However, she explained that the government is still conducting a feasibility study before implementing the plan. The increasing life expectancy of Ugandans, now around 68 to 70 years, may impact the available resources if the government extends support to those aged 65 and above.
Minister Mary Kuteesa Kamuli suggested that the government may adopt a phased approach to lowering the age limit for SAGE, rather than rushing to reduce it from 80 to 65 years all at once. This approach aims to ensure that the program's resources can sustainably support the increasing number of beneficiaries.
The Rukiga District Community Skilling Program, "Emikono Yeitu," is funded by District Woman MP Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe with support from her development partners. The program will establish 42 training centers across the district, providing free training in skills such as bakery, liquid soap making, shoemaking, craft, and weaving. The program's objective is to provide an alternative to the absence of a District Technical Institution and help up to 33% of Ugandans in Rukiga join the money economy through self-employment.
Rukiga District LC.5 Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda urged men not to assume that the skilling program was targeting women alone. He also called on youths to seize the opportunity and acquire practical skills that would help them survive in an environment where jobs are scarce. Minister Mary Kuteesa commended Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe for supplementing government efforts to skill Ugandans, especially the youth.
Key points
- The Ugandan government is yet to implement a Cabinet resolution to lower the eligibility age for the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) from 80 to 65 years due to a lack of allocated funds.
- The Rukiga District Community Skilling Program aims to equip residents with practical skills to enhance their employability and self-reliance.
- The government is considering a phased approach to lowering the age limit for SAGE to ensure that the program's resources can sustainably support the increasing number of beneficiaries.
