Hoima older persons decry exclusion from government wealth creation programmes

What the report says

Older persons in Hoima City, western Uganda, have complained that they are being left out of government wealth-creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model. According to Nile Post, the concerns were raised during a meeting with city leaders and State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs Grace Mary Mugasa, with the elderly saying extension workers rarely explain how they can access the programmes or provide direct sensitisation.

Representatives of the elderly said many livelihood funds end up going to younger and middle-aged applicants, leaving older residents with few opportunities to benefit. David Baguma, vice chairperson of the Hoima City Elderly Council, said government should create programmes tailored to older people, while Israel Kabyanga, a former elderly council chairperson, said health services also need to better reflect the needs of ageing residents.

The group said hospitals often keep them waiting for long periods and sometimes lack medicines for common age-related conditions. They also raised concerns about theft of livestock and other property, which they said further weakens their ability to support themselves. Hoima City Mayor Edward Isingoma said the complaints required urgent attention, and Mugasa said she would look at ways to include older persons in upcoming livelihood programmes, including the NUSAF programme in Bunyoro.

The report underscores a wider issue in social protection and local development: whether government programmes are reaching vulnerable groups in practice, not just on paper.